PETALUMA, California (July 29, 2016) — A 58-year-old woman identified as Susan Giammatteis was struck and killed Thursday afternoon after a series of three crashes that also injured others on Sonoma Mountain Parkway, between Rainier Circle and Castle Drive, according to the Press Democrat.
The first collision took place about 3:50 p.m. when a 17-year-old driver in a Ford Explorer allegedly changed lanes and struck the Mazda MX-5 that the woman who later died had been riding in with her 76-year-old husband. There were no serious injuries resulting from this collision, but both vehicles pulled over to the side of the roadway.
A 39-year-old man driving a Nissan Maxima witnessed the first collision and pulled over his vehicle, stopping in-between the Mazda and the Ford SUV.
The two men, teenager, and women who were in the three vehicles got out and were standing outside of the cars about 3:59 p.m. when a fourth vehicle — a Toyota Camry driven by Thomas Christie, 86, of Petaluma — hit the back of the Nissan causing it to crash into the Mazda. The impact caused the man who had been driving the Nissan to be thrown into the air and he struck his head on his own car’s windshield.
Susan Giammatteis who had been in the Mazda was also thrown and landed about 10 feet from the scene of the crash where she struck her head on the sidewalk.
Both Giammatteis and her husband were taken to hospitals. He was taken to Santa Rosa hospital and she was taken to Petaluma Valley Hospital where she later died of her injuries.
The crash remains under investigation by police.
We are deeply saddened by the news of this tragedy. We offer our prayers and most heartfelt condolences to the friends and family members of the woman who died in this horrible accident. We also hope the man who was injured has a full recovery.
Most deadly accidents are preventable tragedies. If a negligent party has disregarded the safety of others and has led to the death of a family member, it is likely you may have the right to a wrongful death lawsuit. If your loved one has been a victim of a tragic accident and you believe another person is at fault, we urge you to contact Johnson Attorneys Group today to speak with one of our experienced Sonoma County lawyers at 800-235-6801.
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