Driver, 17, suspected of DUI in Sonoma crash

A Sonoma teen suspected of drunken driving and his passenger were hospitalized with major injuries Friday, authorities report.|
JULIE JOHNSON
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

A 17-year-old Sonoma boy suspected of drunken driving and his passenger were hospitalized with major injuries Friday after a pre-dawn crash, CHP officials said.

The driver, who wasn’t identified because he’s a juvenile suspected of a crime, lost control of the vehicle about 4:45 a.m. on westbound Highway 12 at Verano Avenue, the CHP said.

The vehicle crashed into a concrete sign and overturned, ejecting the passenger. The vehicle landed in the Vineyard Shopping Center parking lot, according to the CHP.

Passenger Jesus Molina Lopez, 21, of Sonoma wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and sustained major injuries. He was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

Investigators suspect the driver was intoxicated, and he was arrested on suspicion of DUI causing injury at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where he was being treated for major injuries, CHP officials said.

You can reach Staff Writer Julie Johnson at 707-521-5220 or julie.johnson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @jjpressdem.

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