Updated: Sonoma Driver in Critical Condition Following Head-On Crash

The driver of a Ford Crown Victoria that crashed head-on into a big-rig on state Highway 116 east of Petaluma on Monday morning has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said.

Gerd Dunker, 48, of Sonoma, was traveling west toward Petaluma east of Adobe Road when he made an unsafe turning movement and collided head-on with an eastbound 18-wheel tractor-trailer around 9:45 a.m., the CHP said.

Dunker and his passenger, Angela Franck, 42, of Sonoma, suffered severe injuries and were taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

Frank was treated and released Monday afternoon, but Dunker is still in critical condition in the custody of Santa Rosa Memorial Hosptial. 

CHP is currently investigating whether Dunker was under the influence of alcohol when the crash happened, CHP Officer Jaret Paulson said.

Both vehicles sustained major front-end damage in the collision, which pushed the Ford into a Jeep Liberty that was traveling behind the Ford, Paulson said.

The Jeep's driver, Yesenia Chavira, 27, of Rohnert Park, was not injured.

The driver of the big-rig, Clemente Garcia, 41, of Quebec, Canada, was also uninjured, CHP Officer A. Paulson said this morning.

Copyright © 2011 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.