On Saturday, July 19, 2025, at approximately 10:10 PM, our officers responded to a report of a possible DUI driver on Lakeville Hwy at a gas station. Our officers located the vehicle on Lakeville Hwy and attempted to stop it for suspicion of impaired driving after observing it swerving into oncoming traffic. The driver did not stop for the officer, and a vehicle pursuit was initiated. Unfortunately, the suspect vehicle continued to flee from the pursuing officer and crashed off Lakeville Hwy in the area of Old Lakeville #1 at a high rate of speed, causing the vehicle to roll over.
The pursuing officers immediately assisted the occupants of the vehicle and learned that, in addition to the driver, there were three other occupants in the vehicle at the time of the collision. Tragically, one of the passengers passed away at the scene. The driver and the other two passengers were all transported to trauma centers in the area with significant injuries. At this time, the identities of those involved are being withheld pending notification of their families.
In accordance with the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chiefs Association (SCLECA) Employee-Involved Critical Incident Protocol, the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office, the Santa Rosa Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol responded to the scene and are handling the investigation. The Santa Rosa Police Department is handling the criminal investigation, while the California Highway Patrol is handling the traffic collision investigation.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has relevant information is encouraged to contact the Santa Rosa Police Department Violent Crimes Investigations Team tip line at 707-543-3590 or submit an anonymous tip online at http://www.srcity.org/CrimeTips.
All additional media releases will come from the Santa Rosa Police Department.
