SRPD Investigates Fatal Vehicle vs Pedestrian Collision

On Tuesday February 11^th at approximately 6:56p.m., Santa Rosa Police Officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of Hopper Avenue for a vehicle versus pedestrian collision. The location of the collision occurred in the eastbound lanes of Hopper Avenue, approaching the intersection with Airway Drive. The involved vehicle was a maroon Chevy SUV.

The driver of the SUV immediately called 911, reporting that they had just struck a pedestrian who had been in the roadway. The pedestrian was unresponsive in the roadway and did not appear to be breathing.

Fire and Medical personnel responded to the scene and the pedestrian was immediately transported to a local hospital, where they were later pronounced deceased.  

SRPD Accident Investigators responded to the collision scene, assisted by SRPD Field and Evidence Technicians. The initial investigation appeared to show that the pedestrian was crossing Hopper Avenue from the south side of the street to the north side.   It was dark at the time of the collision, and the pedestrian was wearing dark clothing. The SUV was traveling eastbound on Hopper Avenue and struck the pedestrian as they were crossing.

The initial investigation indicated that the pedestrian was not in a crosswalk at the time of the collision. The driver of the SUV did not show symptoms of drug or alcohol impairment, and speed does not appear to be a factor. The driver remained on scene and was cooperating with investigators.

The names of the pedestrian and driver will not be released at this time, pending notifications to next of kin. The investigation is ongoing and being conducted by the Santa Rosa Police Department Traffic Team. Case #25-1764

SRPD Makes Two DUI Arrests During Investigation

While this investigation was unfolding, SRPD officers were securing the roadway and closing it down to through traffic. An SRPD K9 officer was conducting traffic control at Hopper Avenue and Banyan Street. The officer had activated his emergency lights to detour traffic.

The officer was standing outside of his patrol vehicle and directing traffic when a Nissan Hatchback was driving in the eastbound lane of Hopper Avenue at what appeared to be a high rate of speed. The officer tried to detour the driver by shining his flashlight toward the Nissan and yelling at the driver to stop. The Nissan continued forward, causing the officer to jump out of the way. The Nissan then struck the front driver side of the patrol vehicle. The Nissan then continued forward briefly after the collision but ultimately pulled over.

When the driver of the Nissan was contacted, he displayed symptoms of alcohol impairment. A DUI investigation was conducted, and the driver was subsequently arrested for DUI 23152(a)VC and 23152(b) VC. The driver was identified as Sean Hoyt, a 62-year-old resident of Cotati. He was booked at the Sonoma County Jail.
The officer and his K9 partner were not injured during the collision. Case # 25-1765

In another separate incident, while officers were conducting traffic control for the original fatal collision, an officer observed a white Chevy Silverado bypass the traffic control officers and proceed eastbound on Hopper Avenue toward the collision scene.

A patrol officer was able to stop this Chevy and contacted the driver. The driver was displaying symptoms of alcohol impairment. The officer conducted a DUI investigation, and the driver of the Chevy was subsequently arrested for DUI 23152(a)VC and 23152(b)VC. The driver of the Chevy was identified as Michael Lockwood, a 58-year-old resident of Santa Rosa. He was also booked at the Sonoma County Jail. Case #25-1766

The Santa Rosas Police Department would like to remind our community that driving while impaired is dangerous and has serious consequences. We are thankful that no one was hurt in relation to these two separate DUI investigations.  It is also important to pay attention to officers conducting traffic control and follow their instructions.

Anyone with information related to the fatal collision is encouraged to contact Officer Brenden Sawyer. brendensawyer@srcity.org