Traffic along Sonoma's Arnold Drive turned serious today when a head-on collision at Arnold Drive and Bonness Road left multiple people hurt and triggered a helicopter medevac for one victim, according to authorities.
According to CHP - Golden Gate Division Air Operations on Facebook, CHP's H-30 helicopter was requested after Sonoma Valley Fire District Station 33 and Gold Ridge Fire District reported a head-on crash with multiple injured parties. The reel shows the aircrew setting down near the scene, loading a patient with "moderate to major" injuries, then flying the patient to a local trauma center.
How crews responded
CHP's Golden Gate Division operates air-operations units that routinely assist local agencies with hoist and medevac missions out of Napa, and H-30 helicopters are staffed with a pilot and a CHP paramedic. As outlined by CHP Golden Gate Division, those aircraft are used to reach remote or traffic-clogged scenes where getting an ambulance in quickly can be a challenge.
Investigation and road impacts
Per the CHP post, CHP Napa is investigating the cause of the collision, and investigators were on scene examining the wreckage and gathering information. Traffic in the immediate area was affected while emergency crews worked. Officials did not release the victims' names or additional details in the initial post.
Local crash history
That stretch of Arnold Drive around Bonness Road has logged serious collisions in past traffic studies, and county planners have flagged segments along SR-116 for potential safety improvements. As noted in a Sonoma County traffic study, collisions on SR-116 near Arnold and Bonness have been documented, and the roadway's narrow, rural character can complicate emergency response.
Officials have released only limited information so far. CHP Napa is listed as the lead investigator, and more details may be released after investigators complete their work. We will be watching official channels for any updates.
