1 Person Killed, 1 Injured In Petaluma Freeway Crash: CHP

PETALUMA, CA — One person died and another person was injured in a crash in freeway traffic during the afternoon commute Monday in Petaluma.

Officers with the California Highway Patrol's Santa Rosa Office responded at 4:42 p.m. Monday to the collision on northbound U.S. Highway 101, south of East Washington Street, in Petaluma.

The CHP's preliminary investigation indicated a Honda CR-V SUV was traveling northbound on U.S. 101 in the No. 2 lane behind a Land Rover Range Rover that was traveling only a few miles per hour in stop-and-go traffic, the CHP said.

"The Honda was traveling at an unsafe speed for traffic conditions and approached the Range Rover without slowing," CHP Spokesperson David deRutte said. "The front of the Honda collided with the rear of the Range Rover causing major damage to the Honda."

The Honda driver, a 90-year-old woman, suffered major injuries and was rushed to Petaluma Valley Hospital where she later died.

The driver of the Range Rover, a 48-year-old man from Petaluma, was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor to moderate injuries.

The Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's Office was expected to identify the woman once her next of kin was notified.

The CHP asked anyone with information about the crash to call the Santa Rosa CHP office at 707-588-1400.