Head-On Collision Claims Life Of 17-Year-Old: Santa Rosa PD

SANTA ROSA, CA — A 17-year-old Santa Rosa boy died in a head-on collision with a large flatbed truck Friday morning on Fulton Road, Santa Rosa police said.

The driver of the flatbed called police at 7:25 a.m. Friday to report the crash near Guerneville Road. The truck driver was not injured but told dispatchers the other driver was pinned inside the 4Runner, police said.

Emergency medical personnel with Santa Rosa Fire Department and Sonoma Life Support were not able to revive the teenager.

"At this time, it is not known if the driver experienced a medical emergency or if the vehicle had any mechanical issues," SRPD Lt. Jeneane Kucker said Friday afternoon in a news release. "Alcohol does not appear to be a factor."

Witnesses told police the driver of the 4Runner was headed northbound on Fulton and was going an estimated 50 mph in a 45-mph zone when he crossed into the opposite lanes of traffic and collided head-on with the flatbed in the southbound lanes.

"The driver of the flatbed truck saw the vehicle come into his lane and was able to stop his vehicle prior to impact," Kucker said.

The driver of the 4Runner was a 17-year-old Santa Rosa resident whose name will not be released because of his age, Kucker said.

The boy's family members came to the crash scene where they were notified of his death, the lieutenant said.

The southbound lanes of Fulton were closed at Guerneville Road as the fatal incident was investigated. Police sent a Nixle alert around 8 a.m. Friday advising the public to use alternate routes.