Fatal Highway 1 crash near Valley Ford Road leaves motorcyclist dead, minivan driver hospitalized and arrested on suspicion of DUI, CHP says
A motorcyclist died and a van driver was hospitalized Sunday after a head-on crash on Highway 1 in rural Sonoma County, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The collision happened just after 2 p.m. Sept. 14 north of Valley Ford Road, southeast of Bodega Bay. CHP said the motorcyclist, traveling southbound, crossed a double-yellow line to pass traffic and struck a northbound Toyota minivan. The impact ejected the rider, who was then struck by a second vehicle. He died at the scene.
The minivan driver, described by CHP as a woman in her 30s, suffered major injuries. Emergency crews airlifted her to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Despite her condition, CHP placed her under arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. Authorities have not said what substance may have been involved.
The crash forced officials to close Highway 1 for several hours Sunday afternoon. CHP diverted traffic while investigators documented the scene and cleared the wreckage. The highway reopened later that evening.
CHP’s Santa Rosa office is leading the investigation. Officers said the rider’s illegal pass appears to be the primary cause but added that they will review whether the minivan driver’s suspected impairment played a role. Autopsy and toxicology results are pending. The Sonoma County Coroner’s Office will release the victim’s name once family notifications are complete.
Highway 1’s coastal curves have a long history of serious collisions. In 2020, a motorcyclist suffered critical injuries in a similar head-on crash north of Bodega Bay. In 2015, another fatal motorcycle crash occurred near Fort Ross. Safety experts warn that the road’s narrow lanes and limited passing zones create high risks, especially when drivers ignore traffic markings.
Statewide, motorcyclists make up only 3% of registered vehicles but account for about 14% of all traffic deaths. More than 600 motorcyclists died on California roads in 2022, according to the Office of Traffic Safety. CHP urges drivers to stay patient, avoid crossing double lines, and never drive under the influence.
“This crash remains under investigation,” CHP said in a statement. They asked witnesses to contact the Santa Rosa office at 707-806-5600.
