Full Notification

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
Friday October 2, 2020

Issued By: Lt. Ed Crosby, Petaluma PD, 707.778.4325

Incident:Fatal Traffic Incident; Homicide Investigation

Report Number(s): PPD 20-3355; CHP Log #93

Incident Date : Friday October 2, 2020

Incident Time: Approximately 1:21 am

Location: Southbound 101 Freeway near East Washington; 700 Block of Sixth Street, Petaluma

Incident Summary:

On October 2, 2020 at approximately 1:21 a.m., the Petaluma Police Department was contacted by the California Highway Patrol regarding a fatal traffic incident that occurred in the southbound lanes of the 101 freeway, north of the East Washington overpass.

A Harley Davidson motorcycle traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of the freeway struck a southbound Honda Fit, head-on. The impact resulted in the death of the motorcycle driver (a 34-year-old male), and major injuries to the driver and sole occupant of the Honda (a 24-year-old female). The latter was taken to an area hospital and is expected to survive.

The driver of the Honda had been trapped inside her burning vehicle but was pulled to safety by a civilian passerby.

The California Highway Patrol received the report of the incident at 1:19 a.m. and closed the southbound lanes of the freeway until 5:45 a.m.

At approximately 2:00 a.m. on the morning of October 2, 2020, the Petaluma Police Department received a citizen’s request for a welfare check on a woman at a residence on the 700 block of Sixth Street. Officers conducting the welfare check discovered a deceased 28-year-old female adult inside the residence.

The totality of circumstances suggests the death on Sixth Street and the fatal incident on the freeway are related events. The California Highway Patrol and the Petaluma Police Department’s Investigations Unit are coordinating their respective investigations, along with further assistance from the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office.

As the investigation remains active and Coroner’s Office notifications are pending, names of the involved parties and further details concerning the deaths are not being released at this time.

As of this writing, it is not believed that there are any outstanding suspects or that there is an on-going threat to the general community.

Anyone with information concerning either death investigation is asked to contact Petaluma Police Department Detective John Silva at 707-778-4532.

Media inquiries should be directed to Lt. Ed Crosby, Petaluma Police Department, 707-778-4325.