Two hurt in west county crash; DUI suspected

A man in a stolen car crashed head-on into another vehicle Tuesday morning just east of Sebastopol, injuring himself and a Sebastopol woman, authorities said.

Adan Garcia, 31, of Santa Rosa was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs and released to the hospital for treatment of his injuries, which included multiple fractures, CHP Officer Jon Sloat said.

Mary Lou Sweet, 79, of Sebastopol also remained at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with “severe injuries” that were not considered life threatening, Sloat said.

The 9:50 a.m. crash occurred on a curve on High School Road, which connects downtown Sebastopol with Occidental Road and borders the Laguna de Santa Rosa.

Heading south on High School Road, Garcia lost control of a blue 1997 Honda Civic and swerved into the oncoming lane, slamming into a Saturn Ion driven by Sweet as she came around a curve south of Occidental Road, Sloat said.

Both drivers were trapped in their cars and were freed by firefighters.

About 10 minutes after the crash, Garcia’s sister called Sebastopol police to report her Honda had been stolen from a residence off Bodega Avenue near Pleasant Hill Road, Sebastopol Police Officer Joe Furry said. Garcia is considered a suspect in the theft case but has not been arrested yet due to the extent of his injuries, Furry said.

Authorities closed High School Road between Occidental Road and Hurlbut Avenue while dealing with the crash.