Woman killed after car plows into Santa Rosa homeless encampment

A woman was killed Tuesday night after a car plowed into a homeless encampment near Santa Rosa’s Roseland neighborhood following an argument, according to police.

Police determined there had been an argument between two men before one got in his car and ultimately crashed it into the encampment. Witnesses told of an argument and possibly even a shooting before the crash, but officers later ruled out a shooting.

After the argument between, one of the men got into a vehicle and drove it across Roberts Avenue and into a woman and the tent she was in front of.

Firefighters extricated the woman but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash was reported to Redcom, Sonoma County’s fire and ambulance dispatch center, at 9:48 p.m. at Sebastopol Road and Roberts Avenue, a Redcom dispatcher said.

At 1 a.m. Wednesday, police did not have information about the suspect who drove the car. The other person involved in the fight was taken to the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with non life-threatening injuries, Mahurin said.

SRPD violent crimes detectives and accident investigators continue investigating the collision to determine if it was accidental or deliberate.

The homeless encampment consisted of about a dozen to 15 tents lining the road. Residents of the encampment stood vigil, many of them crying, as police investigated the crash.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that would assist with the investigation is encouraged to contact SRPD through our online Tip Line: www.srcity.org/CrimeTips.

You can reach Staff Writer Nashelly Chavez at 707-521-5203 or nashelly.chavez@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @nashellytweets.