Driver Pursued By Police Involved In Fatal Crash In Santa Rosa

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — An investigation was underway into the events leading up to a fatal crash Monday night in Santa Rosa.

One person died and one person was arrested in the crash that occurred shortly after 10 p.m. at the intersection of Montgomery Drive and Farmer Lane. When the collision happened, Santa Rosa police were looking for a reckless driver.

Roads were closed at the scene until 4:30 a.m. Tuesday as an independent investigation was conducted.

According to the Santa Rosa Police Department, two of its officers were conducting a DUI investigation at 10:06 p.m. on 7th Street just west of E Street when they saw a gray Nissan Maxima speeding north down E Street. One of the officers got into his marked patrol car and tried to catch up to the Nissan as its driver headed east on College Avenue.

The officer continued trying to catch up with the Nissan driver as he sped down city streets until turning east on Montgomery Drive, SRPD Sgt. Patricia Seffens said.

"The officer did not have continuous visual contact of the Nissan and at no point was in a position to conduct a traffic stop," Seffens said. "The officer was actively searching for the Nissan after observing the driver's reckless behavior but had lost sight of it for a short time."

As the officer searched the area, he saw the car in the distance, traveling east on Montgomery Drive, Seffens said.

As the Nissan entered the intersection of Montgomery Drive and Farmers Lane, he collided with a silver Toyota Camry traveling north on Farmers Lane. The impact pushed both cars onto the property of St. Eugene’s Cathedral.

The male driver of the Toyota was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. His name was expected to be released by the Sonoma County Coroner's Office once next of kin were notified.

The Nissan driver, identified by police as Aaron Rodriguez Hernandez, 21, of Santa Rosa, was taken to an area hospital and treated for moderate injuries suffered in the crash. Following his release from the hospital, Rodriguez Hernandez was booked into Sonoma County jail by the CHP on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, DUI drugs with injury, driving without a license and violation of probation.

Because of the circumstances surrounding the incident, the Santa Rosa Police Department invoked the Sonoma County Critical Incident Protocol and requested an independent investigation into the events leading up to the crash. The investigation is being led by the California Highway Patrol and Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office.