1 dead, 9 hospitalized after big-rig crash on Santa Rosa’s Highway 12

( KRON ) — All lanes have reopened on westbound Highway 12 in Santa Rosa after a fatal crash involving several vehicles halted traffic around noon Thursday, according to the California Highway Patrol.

At 11:50 a.m., CHP and the Santa Rosa Fire Department responded to the crash on Highway 12 and Fulton Road.

Upon arriving, officials discovered almost a dozen cars involved in a big rig crash, with at least one vehicle — a pickup truck — catching fire, per CHP. The driver of the pickup truck, according to SRFD, died before firefighters arrived at the crash scene.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the big rig failed to stop while on Highway 12 as it approached a signal-light intersection on Fulton Road. CHP said the big rig then pushed cars on both westbound and eastbound lanes in an attempt to stop, prompting the crash and a fire.

SRFD said the fire was brought under control within 20 minutes. Traffic on westbound Highway 12, however, was closed for hours. Vehicles were rerouted off of the highway at Stony Point Road.

According to CHP, at least 11 vehicles — including a big rig carrying dirt — were involved in the collision. Two vehicles, a Honda CR-V and a Mercedes-Benz SUV, both had tires knocked off from the collision.

One person was killed, and nine others were injured and hospitalized at three different Sonoma County hospitals. Three victims endured major injuries, with six others enduring mild to minor injuries, officials said.

CHP told KRON4 it is unclear if alcohol or other substances were involved in the crash and that this crash is currently under investigation.

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