Driver Dies In Head-On Collision With Garbage Truck

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A man driving the wrong way on River Road early Friday was killed in a head-on collision with a garbage truck, according to the California Highway Patrol. The incident was reported at 4:44 a.m. on River Road just west of U.S. Highway 101, CHP Officer David deRutte said.

When the collision occurred, the male driver of a 1994 Honda Civic was traveling eastbound in the westbound lane of River, east of Barnes Road, and a 50-year-old Santa Rosa man was driving a Recology garbage truck westbound on River, just west of the U.S. Highway 101 over-crossing.

The Honda swerved to the right and the garbage truck driver hit the brakes but the vehicles collided head on, according to the CHP.

The driver of the Honda was pronounced deceased at the scene. Pending notification of his next of kin, the Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's Office was withholding his identity Friday morning.

According to deRutte, the garbage truck driver was interviewed at length and was cooperative during questioning.

The incident remained under investigation Friday; anyone with pertinent information was asked to call the Santa Rosa Area CHP Office at 707-588-1400.