Woman dies after Highway 101 hit-and-run

A Santa Rosa woman who was struck by a car after a vehicle collision last week has died, a California Highway Patrol officer said.

Juanita Santana, 36, lost control of a 1999 Mercedes-Benz that hydroplaned as she drove onto southbound U.S. Highway 101 from the Steele Lane on ramp around 11:50 p.m. Nov. 15, CHP Officer Jon Sloat said.

The Mercedes hit the center divider and spun several times before stopping in the No. 1 and No. 2 lanes of the highway. Santana and a passenger got out of the Mercedes and were standing near it when a 2000 Honda Civic struck the Mercedes and pushed it into them, Sloat said.

The collision pinned Santana to the ground. She suffered major injuries and was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, Sloat said.

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday informed the CHP of Santana’s death, Sloat said.

The Honda driver, Gregory Hernandez, 55, of Santa Rosa, fled the scene but was arrested when he was found walking near Cleveland Avenue, Sloat said. He was booked in the Sonoma County jail for felony hit-and-run causing injury.