Driver who killed 5-year-old had license suspended for medical condition

<p>A woman whose SUV rammed into a stopped Toyota Matrix, killing a 5-year-old boy inside and critically injuring another passenger, had had her license suspended because of an undisclosed medical condition, police said Thursday.</p><p>Brandi Hanley, 32, was arrested for suspected vehicular manslaughter in connection with the Tuesday night crash at Guerneville and Marlow roads in west Santa Rosa.</p><p>She told police she didn’t realize the Matrix and a Toyota Celica stopped next to it at the red light weren’t moving, Sgt. Rich Celli said.</p><p>Her own car was traveling at least 40 mph when it struck, he said.</p><p>But Celli said Hanley did not blame her medical condition for the oversight that had her Ford Explorer plowing into the rear of the Matrix, fatally injuring Addison Branson of Santa Rosa.</p><p>“She didn’t realize they were stopped,” he said.</p><p>The impact propelled the small car across the intersection and into a metal utility pole on the southeast side.</p><p>The mechanics of the crash meant there were two major impacts, Celli said, leaving the front passenger, Jennifer Welch, 55, with a broken neck.</p><p>She was in stable condition Thursday, a hospital spokeswoman said. </p><p>Addison’s father, Albert Branson, 52, suffered minor injuries and was released after hospital treatment Tuesday night, police said.</p><p>The threesome had just left Safeway when the crash occurred, Celli said.</p><p>Hanley, who is scheduled to appear in court May 6, suffered minor injuries and also was treated at a local hospital, then released. </p><p>The Celica driver, John Nelson, 23, of Santa Rosa, also was treated and released, police said.</p><p>Celli said Hanley had been interviewed at length and “was cooperative throughout.” </p><p>Medical records would play a role in the investigation to determine why she did not realize the cars were stopped, he said.</p><p>Police said they have more people to interview about the 5:32 p.m. crash. “There were so many witnesses, and we haven’t talked to them all,” Celli said.</p>