Napa Co. Man Dies After Vehicle Swerves Into Oncoming Traffic

NAPA COUNTY, CA — A man identified as 24-year-old Pedro Alexis Santarosa of St. Helena died on the scene of a traffic collision Friday night on Highway 29 in Napa County, CHP officials said.

According to a CHP news release, Santarosa was driving 2003 Nissan Altima southbound on Highway 29 at about 9 p.m. when, for unknown reasons, his vehicle crossed the solid double yellow lines into oncoming traffic.

Joanna M. Ruggirello, a 43-year-old Napa woman, was driving a 2011 Honda Pilot northbound on Highway 29 and was unable to avoid colliding with the passenger side of Santarosa's Altima just south of Washington Street, the CHP report states. Santarosa sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Ruggirello and her three passengers -- 47-year-old James Coffin of Napa and two boys, ages 16 and 4 -- were transported to Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa, the CHP report states. Coffin sustained moderate injuries while the other three were treated for minor injuries.

Highway 29 was closed in both directions for about 2.5 hours after the collision, the CHP report states.

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