Local Man Involved in Fatal Crash on Mark West Springs Road

An elderly man was killed in a car accident when attempting to make a left turn onto Mark West Springs Road at the Santa Rosa border Thursday evening, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The 82-year-old Santa Rosa man driving a 2007 GS 350 Lexus was stopped facing north on Cross Creek Road, which ends at Mark West Spring Road, around 5:25 p.m, CHP officials said.

A 27-year-old Rohnert Park man in a 2003 Chevy Silverado was driving east on Mark West Springs Road and approaching Cross Creek Road at about 40 mph, according to the CHP.

At this intersection Mark West Springs Road has the right-of-way and traffic does not stop.

Witnesses told CHP officials the collision occurred when the Lexus entered the intersection directly in front of the Chevy, which swerved to the left to avoid the Lexus but the front end collided with the car's left side.

According to the CHP, both vehicles sustained major damage before coming to a stop and blocking the intersection.

The roadway was wet from rain falling throughout the day.

The 82-year-old suffered fatal trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel called to the accident, according to the CHP. The 27-year-old man was not injured in the crash, officials said.

After the crash CHP personnel provided one-way traffic control. The roadway reopened by 7:55 p.m. Alcohol is not suspected to have played a role in the fatal
accident, CHP officials said.