A road-rage incident over the weekend in Sonoma County left one person dead, several others injured, and a suspect facing severe charges, including murder. Authorities report that the suspect, 20-year-old Diego Alexis Diaz Hernandez, used his SUV to cause a series of crashes over a span of two hours. The tragic events began Saturday afternoon and involved multiple vehicles, including a Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, a Mazda CX-30, and a black Mercedes.
Road Rage Escalates to Fatal Consequences
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the initial altercation occurred around 2:00 p.m. on Stony Point Road near the Rohnert Park Expressway. It began when Diaz Hernandez, driving a Mazda CX-30, repeatedly rear-ended a silver Volkswagen Atlas, causing it to swerve uncontrollably into the oncoming lane. This maneuver sent the Volkswagen directly into the path of a black Mercedes, which then collided with the passenger side of the Volkswagen. Tragically, the crash claimed the life of 33-year-old Karina Pettinati, who was seated in the front passenger seat of the Volkswagen. The driver of the Volkswagen, along with a young boy, also suffered significant injuries, as did the driver and passenger of the Mercedes.
Witness Accounts and Scene Details
Witnesses at the scene, including Rosie Garcia, who was selling drinks at a nearby roadside stand, recounted seeing the Volkswagen and the Mazda driving at high speeds before the collision. While Garcia reported that the vehicles appeared to be racing, authorities have not confirmed this account. The CHP suggested that the driver of the Volkswagen may have been attempting to escape from the Mazda before the fatal crash occurred. However, these details remain unverified by authorities, and the exact motive behind the road-rage incident is still under investigation.
Suspect Continues on a Rampage
Following the crash on Stony Point Road, Diaz Hernandez allegedly fled the scene without attempting to aid the injured victims. His escape led him to commit another hit-and-run on Highway 116 near Redwood Drive. In this second incident, Cotati Police Chief Chris Simmons reported that the suspect rear-ended another vehicle and, rather than stopping, struck it a second time before speeding away once again. Despite efforts to evade law enforcement, Diaz Hernandez was finally apprehended after causing yet another collision on Highway 101.
Charges Brought Against the Suspect
Following his arrest, the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office charged Diaz Hernandez with murder, assault with a deadly weapon, reckless driving, and multiple counts of hit-and-run. He is currently being held at the Sonoma County Jail.
Community Reacts to Tragedy
The sudden and violent nature of the incident has left the local community in shock. On Monday, friends and family of Karina Pettinati visited a memorial set up in her honor to pay their respects. Authorities have also reached out to the District Attorney’s Office for comment, though they have yet to issue an official statement on the charges.
This tragedy serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of road rage and reckless driving. The CHP continues to investigate the sequence of events that led to this fatal incident and urges the public to exercise caution on the roads to prevent similar tragedies.