Driver Found Dead After Crash on Wrong Side of Road

The driver of a late-model SUV was found dead after the car crashed into a tree on the wrong side of the road in Santa Rosa early this morning, a police sergeant said.

The crash happened around 2:10 a.m. near the intersection of Guerneville Road at Cleveland Avenue near the Coddingtown Mall, Sgt. Rich Celli said.

A witness said the car was traveling west in the eastbound lanes at Cleveland Avenue when it crossed over the south curb and struck a large tree on the mall property, Celli said.

The driver was unresponsive when emergency crews arrived and was pronounced dead at the scene, Celli said.

It is unknown if the driver suffered a medical emergency just prior to the collision or if alcohol was a factor in the crash, Celli said.

One eastbound lane of Guerneville Road remained closed during the morning commute, Celli said.

-- Bay City News