SANTA ROSA, Calif. — A woman died after a three-car crash in Santa Rosa on Friday afternoon. The Santa Rosa Police Department charged the driver responsible with his fifth DUI.
Police were called to the intersection of Lombardi Court and Sebastopol Road around 1:30 p.m. for a serious crash involving a Honda, a silver Dodge pickup, and a white Prius.
Officers found a woman trapped in her Honda. Firefighters freed her, but she was unconscious. She was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died. The victim was identified as 31-year-old Jessica Avila Munoz from Santa Rosa.
The driver of the Dodge pickup was injured and taken to the hospital by ambulance. The Prius driver was uninjured and stayed at the scene.
According to police, witness statements and video show the woman in the Honda was turning left when the Dodge pickup ran a red light and hit her. The Honda then hit the Prius.
Police suspected the Dodge driver, Nhan Van Nguyen, 68, of being under the influence of alcohol. Nguyen, who had four previous DUI arrests and a suspended license, was found to be intoxicated. He was later booked into Sonoma County Jail on charges of gross vehicular manslaughter and felony DUI causing great bodily injury.
The roads were closed for about six hours during the investigation. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Santa Rosa Police Department.