Four people injured in Highway 37 crash near Sonoma Raceway

A van driver who took his eyes off the road for a moment rear-ended a car in stopped traffic on Highway 37 Saturday, causing a big traffic jam for more than 90 minutes and sending four people to the hospital, although with only minor injuries, according to the Highway Patrol.

David Martines, 34, of Petaluma was eastbound in a 1998 GMC Safari when he hit a 2000 Volvo S40 sedan in front of him driven by Ryan Ebeling, 25 of San Francisco.

“The driver stated he looked away briefly. When he looked up, traffic stopped and he rear-ended the Volvo,” said CHP Officer Andrew Barclay.

The accident, reported around 11:20 a.m., happened just west of Highway 121 near Sonoma Raceway.

Three passengers in the van, including an adult and two girls, ages 5 and 6, were taken to a hospital with complaints of pain.

A passenger in the Volvo also was transported for treatment.

One of two eastbound lanes remained closed until just before 1 p.m. when the road was finally clear.

Barclay noted that April is Distracted Drivers Awareness Month.

“It’s not just a cellphone,” he said. “It only takes a second to look away and for things to change and the next thing you know you’ve rear-ended someone.”