Sonoma resident killed in crash near Petaluma

SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. — A driver who died in a crash early Thursday in unincorporated Petaluma was identified Friday by the Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's Office as Alejandro Moya Benitez, a 27-year-old man who lived in Sonoma.

The sheriff's office said surviving members of Benitez's family, including children, were notified of his death on Old Adobe Road at Casa Grande Road.

Benitez was driving a BMW 328i southbound on Old Adobe around 12:38 a.m. Thursday and crossed the double yellow line to pass a Cadillac CTS that was traveling in front of him in the same lane, the California Highway Patrol said.

As Benitez entered the southbound lane, the right rear of his car collided with the left front of the Cadillac. The impact caused Benitez to lose control of the car. The BMW left the road and struck a tree, the CHP said.

Benitez was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the car was seriously injured and rushed to hospital.

The driver of the Cadillac was not injured.

The CHP asked anyone with information about the crash to call the Santa Rosa CHP office at 707-806-5600.