DUI Suspected In Fatal Head-On Collision Near Calistoga

NAPA COUNTY, CA — A Santa Rosa man was killed and a Calistoga man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs in a head-on collision Monday on state Highway 29 south of Calistoga, the California Highway Patrol said.

At 10:12 a.m., Philip Popick, 30, of Calistoga was driving a 2015 Subaru southbound on SR-29 just south of Larkmead Lane when he drove into the opposite — northbound — lane of traffic and and collided, head on, into a 1997 Infiniti.

The driver of the Infiniti, a 64-year-old Santa Rosa man, was fatally injured and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Napa County Coroner's Office was expected to release his name once next of kin were properly notified.

The passenger in the Infiniti, a 62-year-old Santa Rosa woman, suffered major injuries and was airlifted by a California Highway Patrol helicopter crew to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

Popick also suffered major injuries. He was taken by ambulance to Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, where he was later placed under arrest on suspicion of felony DUI-drugs, causing injuries, CHP Office Marc Renspurger said.

All involved parties were wearing seat belts and airbags were deployed in both cars, Renspurger said.

The crash blocked SR-29 in both directions, prompting a Sig-alert as traffic was diverted onto Silverado Trail from Bale and Larmead lanes for two hours, the CHP said.

The Sig-alert was lifted around 1:30 p.m.