Sonoma State Student, 21, Fatally Struck By Car

ROHNERT PARK, CA — A man died after he was struck by a vehicle in Rohnert Park on Monday, authorities said.

Callers told the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety that they saw a black vehicle strike a pedestrian as he was crossing the street around noon. Shortly after, police received a call from the driver to report the incident.

Police believe the pedestrian, a 21-year-old Sonoma State University student from Rohnert Park, was crossing East Cotati Avenue from the Wolf's Den Plaza toward Sonoma State University when he was hit. He was not using a crosswalk when he stepped off the center median as a vehicle approached.

The student has not yet been publicly identified, police said.

The driver, a 19-year-old Penngrove resident, was driving a 2015 Ford Fusion westbound on East Cotati when he hit the 21-year-old with the left front of his car. The driver reported that he could not stop to avoid the collision, police said. He was taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation.

Investigators said it doesn't appear that drugs or alcohol contributed to the collision, but officials were still looking into whether the driver may have been distracted.

East Cotati Avenue between Bodway Parkway and the entrance to 7-11 was closed for more than three hours while police investigated.

"The Department of Public Safety wants to remind all pedestrians to use a cross walk when crossing the roadway," Rohnert Park safety officials said. "Make sure you make eye contact with drivers and pedestrians so you know they see you. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the pedestrian."