Driver, victim named in Healdsburg wrong-way accident

UPDATE: Saturday Oct. 31, 9:55 am

A 26-year-old Geyserville woman driving south on Highway 101 near Healdsburg was killed Friday night when her 2008 Honda Civic was struck by a 1991 Ford Explorer headed north in the southbound lanes, according to the CHP.

Crystal Carillo-Martinez was unable to avoid the head-on collision with the Explorer, which was driven by 26-year-old Jose Miguel Botello-Soto of Cloverdale. She died at the scene, officials said.

CHP officials said that at about 9 p.m. Botello-Soto drove the wrong way up the Highway 101 southbound Old Redwood Highway offramp in Healdsburg. He entered southbound traffic and went into the fast lane, directly in the path of Carillo-Martinez, officials said.

In vain, Carillo-Martinez steered to the right to avoid the crash. After colliding, her Honda traveled to the center median where it struck a guardrail.

Botello-Soto was taken by ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries.

After receiving medical treatment, Botello-Soto was taken to Sonoma County Jail by CHP personnel where he was booked for gross vehicular manslaughter; felony driving under the influence of alcohol, causing death; felony driving the wrong way on a divided highway, causing death; and driving while unlicensed.

Officials said alcohol was a major factor in the fatal collision.

HEALDSBURG -- A woman driving south on Highway 101 near Healdsburg was killed Friday night when her Honda Civic was struck by a Ford Explorer SUV headed north in the southbound lanes, according to the CHP.

The unidentified woman was pronounced dead at the scene, said Highway Patrol Sgt. Kevin Mensior. The male driver of the SUV was taken by ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. His condition was unknown.

The CHP did not release the names of either driver.

The accident happened around 9 p.m. Friday. Mensior said the southbound lanes of Highway 101, closed at Westside Road, were to remain closed until about 11:15 p.m.

Mensior said it is believed the driver of the SUV drove north on the offramp at Old Redwood Highway into the southbound lanes, quickly moved into the fast lane and then struck the woman's car. The man is likely to face charges of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter, Mensior said.