Investigation update regarding major injury collision on W. Third St. near Arboleda Dr. 

On Monday, June 2, 2025, at approximately 2:37 p.m., the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) Communications Center received multiple 911 calls from witnesses reporting a collision involving a red minivan and a white pickup truck in the area of W. Third Street and Arboleda Drive.  

Numerous SRPD officers responded to the scene along with Santa Rosa Fire Department and emergency medical personnel. An adult male driving the red, 2002 Honda Odyssey minivan and three juvenile occupants of the van were determined to have major injuries and taken by ambulance to a local trauma center. The other involved vehicle was determined to be a white, 2019 Ford Ranger owned by the City of Santa Rosa. The sole occupant of the white pickup truck, an adult male and City employee, did not require medical treatment and remained at the scene throughout the initial investigation.  

SRPD officers closed down eastbound traffic on W. Third Street from Brittain Lane to Arboleda Drive, and an SRPD Accident Investigator responded to the scene to conduct the collision investigation. In addition to the Accident Investigator, an SRPD Field Evidence Technician (FET) and an Investigator with the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office responded to the scene to assist in the investigation. 

Based on the preliminary investigation and witness statements, several vehicles were traveling east on W. Third Street, occupying both lanes of eastbound traffic. The City vehicle was driving in the right lane and began to merge to the left just east of Arboleda Drive, where W. Third Street reduces to one lane of eastbound traffic. The red minivan had been driving east in the left lane when it moved to the right lane and passed two slower-moving vehicles occupying the left lane. As the minivan approached the City truck from behind, it attempted to pass the truck on the left side. The front right side of the minivan came into contact with the rear left side of the City vehicle. After the initial collision, the minivan collided with two trees in the center median of W. Third Street.  

The minivan was being driven by a 44-year-old male resident of Santa Rosa. His three children, all boys ages 12, 11, and 5, were passengers in the van. It is believed the 5-year-old was in the front passenger seat on a booster seat; the 11-year-old was seated in the second row immediately behind the driver; and the 12-year-old was seated in the third row immediately behind his brother on the left side of the van. The investigation has not yet determined if all persons in the van were wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision.  

W. Third Street remained closed for approximately three hours and was reopened to traffic at approximately 5:50 pm.  

The driver of the minivan remains at a local hospital in critical condition. The children are all currently hospitalized in a Bay Area hospital receiving treatment for serious injuries.  

Accident Investigators are continuing to investigate this incident to determine the exact cause of the collision and speeds of all involved parties. It was determined the City employee was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the collision. Due to the medical condition of the minivan driver, additional investigation is required to determine if he was impaired. More information will be provided at a later time when it becomes available. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact SRPD Accident Investigator Brenden Sawyer at 707-543-3001 ext. 8593, or at bsawyer@srcity.org. 

Santa Rosa Police Department case number 25-6396. 

Media inquiries can be directed to Sgt. Patricia Seffens, Public Information Officer, at 707-543-3634 or pseffens@srcity.org.