CHP identifies suspected DUI driver involved in fiery crash near Cotati

A suspected drunken driver who set off a three-car crash that injured multiple people and temporarily closed southbound Highway 101 near Cotati on Sunday has been identified.

Cesar Eslava-Hernandez, 41, of Santa Rosa, triggered the crash around 1:50 p.m. when he swerved into another car near the Gravenstein Highway offramp, the CHP said Monday.

When officers arrived, all three cars were on fire, blocking all southbound lanes. Preliminary investigations indicate Eslava-Hernandez was driving a Honda Civic at erratic speeds and swerving between lanes, the CHP said.

He swerved into the fast lane, where he hit a Chevrolet Yukon driven by 64-year-old San Francisco resident Michael Hill, the CHP said.

(Video courtesy of Rancho Adobe firefighters)

The impact caused Hill travel into the middle lane, where his SUV hit a Lexus C7200 driven by Brisa Junco, 36, of Santa Rosa, the CHP said.

Hill was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with minor burns to his hands and complaints of pain.

His passenger, Alexandra McConnell-Hill, 60, of San Francisco, suffered severe burns and broken bones, and was airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center.

The driver of the Lexus was not injured, the CHP said. None of the other Lexus passengers was injured, CHP Officer Brian Wood said Sunday.

Eslava-Hernandez suffered burns to his upper body.

He was arrested on suspicion of a DUI after officers noted signs of alcohol impairment.

He was released to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment, where he remained Monday, CHP Officer Jon Sloat said.

Eslava-Hernandez's passenger, 28-year-old Martha Garcia, of Santa Rosa, was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial with burns to her upper body and released Sunday afternoon, CHP said.

Traffic was diverted by Cotati and Rohnert Park police until all freeway lanes reopened at 4:10 p.m., CHP said.

No other information about the condition of those injured was available Monday.

You can reach Staff Writer Hannah Beausang at 707-521-5214 .