Santa Rosa police: distracted driving to blame for pedestrian crash

The driver who hit a man crossing a Santa Rosa street Friday wasn't paying attention to the road, say authorities.|
RANDI ROSSMANN
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

A Santa Rosa man critically injured when hit by a car as he crossed Mendocino Avenue in a lighted crosswalk was struck by a distracted driver, according to police Monday.

Michael Rose, 46, initially suffered life-threatening injuries Friday night, but has improved and was expected to survive, traffic Sgt. Brad Conners said.

At about 10:45 p.m. Friday Rose was crossing the avenue when driver Edward Kelleher, 74, approached, distracted as he looked for a nearby auto parts store, Conners said.

The Santa Rosa man was driving his wife to Kaiser Permanente to pick up a prescription at the late-night pharmacy. On the way he was scouting out the parts store for a future trip, Kelleher told investigators.

He hit the pedestrian near Silva Avenue with his 2011 Toyota Venza.

Speed, alcohol or drugs aren’t believed to be a factor.

“The driver was looking for a business in the area and was distracted,” Conners said.

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