Driver Killed in Christmas Eve Water-Plunge Crash Crossed Double Yellow, CHP says

A driver who was killed on New Year's Eve after his car went off of state Highway 1 and plunged into a creek near the community of Marshall  had apparently crossed the double yellow lines to pass other cars, a CHP  officer said.

The crash occurred around 5:30 p.m. after two cars heading north on Highway 1 north of Marshall crossed over the double yellow lines to pass other traffic, according to CHP Officer Andrew Barclay.

While the first car was able to safely merge back into the northbound lane, witnesses reported that the driver of the second car appeared to panic and lost control of the vehicle, the officer said.

The car spun out, overturned and went off of the roadway and down into Marshall Creek, where it became almost completely submerged, according to the CHP.

Good Samaritans at the scene were able to help free the car's passenger, but the driver was unable to exit and had to be rescued by fire personnel.

Both the driver and passenger were taken to Petaluma Valley Hospital.        The driver, a male from the Santa Rosa area whose name has not been released, died from his injuries, according to the CHP.

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