A pedestrian was struck and seriously injured by a vehicle Thursday morning in Santa Rosa, and police are now appealing for witnesses. The Santa Rosa Police Department reported the incident occurred at about 8:16 a.m. at the intersection of Mendocino Avenue and Fountaingrove Parkway. The 57-year-old male victim from Benicia was found lying on the road with significant head injuries and was transported to a hospital for emergency care.

The driver, a 29-year-old Windsor woman, stayed at the scene and was cooperative with investigators, and she was subsequently released. Officials did not suspect impairment due to alcohol or drugs as a contributing factor at the time. However, the low morning sun may have compromised visibility, leading to the tragic event where the pedestrian met his fate crossing the street outside of a marked crosswalk.

In a news release on Facebook, the Santa Rosa Police Department said the black Infinity Q50 was traveling south on Mendocino Avenue when the collision with the pedestrian occurred. While the identities of both the driver and the pedestrian have been withheld during the ongoing investigation, the authorities have highlighted the need for additional information to paint a clearer picture of the circumstances resulting in this unfortunate accident.

With the Traffic Division's Accident Investigators and Field Evidence Technicians leading the probe, part of Mendocino Avenue was closed for two hours during the investigation. In efforts to unravel the incident's cause, the Santa Rosa Police have asked anyone who might have witnessed the collision to come forward, urging that the smallest detail could prove invaluable. Anyone with information can reach Accident Investigator John Fisher at 707-543-3600 ext. 8550 or via email at [email protected], stressed the importance of community assistance in resolving the case.