5-Car Crash on Hwy. 12 Near Oakmont Injures 2

The driver of a pickup truck caused a five-car crash on state Highway 12 south of Santa Rosa on Monday morning when he apparently fell asleep at the wheel, a California Highway Patrol officer said.

Kyle Thompson, 25, of Santa Rosa, was driving a 2003 Ford pickup east on Highway 12 just east of Melita Road, near Oakmont, around 9:05 a.m. when he nodded off, CHP Officer Jon Sloat said.

The Ford crossed over the double-yellow line and sideswiped a trailer that was being towed by a big-rig, Sloat said.

The Ford then struck a 2012 Toyota Highlander in the westbound lane of the highway, causing the Highlander to spin out. The Highlander was then struck by a Toyota pickup that was behind it in the westbound lane, Sloat said.

The Highlander ran off the road and struck a utility pole, and the Toyota pickup swerved into the eastbound lane and struck a 1999 Mercury Sable, Sloat said.

The collisions closed the road for an hour and a half while drivers were removed from their vehicles and the scene was cleared, Sloat said.

Thompson and Annathea Henton, 41, of Calistoga, who was driving the Toyota Highlander, suffered moderate injuries and were taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, Sloat said.

Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be factors in the collision, Sloat said.

--By Bay City News Service

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