Girl Found Dead In Back Of Car, Teen Driver Accused Of DUI: SRPD

SANTA ROSA, CA — A 14-year-old Guerneville girl was pronounced dead Tuesday when she was found unresponsive in the back seat of a car Tuesday at a Santa Rosa intersection, police said.

Officers were initially sent to investigate a hit-and-run crash reported on Piner Road near Bay Village Circle. When officers caught up with the driver suspected of hitting another car and leaving the scene, it was a 16-year-old girl who was showing signs of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, Santa Rosa police Sgt. Christopher Mahurin said.

That was when officers also noticed a girl in the back seat; when they tried talking to her, she did not respond, Mahurin said.

Emergency medical personnel were requested at the scene at Coffey Lane and Piner Road. Despite their efforts, the girl was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Her cause of death is currently unknown," Mahurin said in a news release. "There were no signs of trauma to the victim and the circumstances surrounding her death are still under investigation. She was a 14-year-old Guerneville resident."

The driver, a 16-year-old girl from Santa Rosa, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and was taken to a local hospital for medical attention, the sergeant said.

"No names will be released due to the ages of the involved persons," Mahurin said.

Detectives with SRPD's Violent Crimes Team assumed the investigation; anyone who may have information is asked to call the Violent Crimes Team at 707-543-3590.