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Wrong Way Driver Causes Head-On Crash On Petaluma Highway

PETALUMA (CBS SF) -- Two cars collided head-on on southbound U.S. Highway 101 northwest of Petaluma early Sunday morning after a Santa Rosa man drove the wrong way on the freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A 2002 Mazda Protege driven by Dustin Troy Loff, 33, was first reported traveling north in the left lane of southbound 101 near Pepper Road shortly after 12:30 a.m., according to CHP Officer Marcus Hawkins.

Only minutes later, south of West Railroad Avenue, Troy's car collided head-on with a 1995 Nissan Pathfinder traveling south in the same lane.

Both vehicles came to a stop, blocking the two middle lanes and scattering debris.

Loff sustained internal injuries and major lacerations to his right arm, Hawkins said.

The Pathfinder's driver, San Anselmo resident Erik Howard Smyth, 42, sustained head lacerations and complained of pain to his back and right arm. His passenger, San Anselmo resident Daniel Uzilevsky, 32, suffered a broken femur and ankle and left arm, as well as a broken sternum and ribs.

Both drivers were under investigation for driving under the influence, Hawkins said. Loff had two prior DUI convictions and was currently on probation which required that he consume no alcohol.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

 

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