Freeway traffic on US 101 in both directions was affected by a rush-hour major injury collision in the southbound lanes yesterday afternoon.
Three cars were involved in the crash, which took place at approximately 5:00 p.m., on US 101, north of Rohnert Park Expressway. Robert Robinson, 86, of Toledo, Oregon, was driving a GMC Jimmy southbound in the Number 2 lane (the middle of the three lanes) when he attempted to move to the Number 3 lane (the "slow lane").
According to a report from the , Robinson made an unsafe lane change, and struck a Jeep Wrangler driven by Paige Smallhoover, 22, of Walnut Creek*, in the Number 3 lane. Both vehicles continued west, striking the guardrail on the right shoulder.
The vehicles rebounded off the guardrail across all three lanes, striking a Toyota Corolla driven by Heavenly Edwards, 36, of Petaluma, in the Number 1 lane. The impact from the Jeep and GMC caused the Toyota to spin out, coming to rest on the right shoulder.
The GMC and Jeep then struck the center divider and bounced back across all three lanes with the Jeep finally coming to a stop on the right shoulder.
The GMC continued through the chain link perimeter fence, overturning several times, onto Redwood Drive, coming to rest on its left side in the two way left turn lane.
The Number 3 lane was closed for 30 minutes. Redwood Drive was closed for approximately 1 1/2 hours for extrication of Robinson, and clean up.
Robinson and his wife Laverne, 84, were transported to Santa Rosa Memorial with major injuries.
Smallhoover was transported with minor injuries. Edwards was not injured.
* NOTE: An earlier version of this release had the incorrect home town for Smallhoover. Walnut Creek is correct.
