Hit-and-Run Incident with Injuries on SR116 in Sonoma County

A hit-and-run accident involving two vehicles occurred on the evening of May 18, 2025, on State Route 116 between Summer Bridge and Riverside Drive in Sonoma County. The incident, reported at approximately 10:06 PM, resulted in injuries to at least one individual. Emergency services were promptly dispatched to the scene, and the injured party received medical attention.

The collision initially appeared to be a minor incident, but it was later reclassified as a hit-and-run with injuries. One of the vehicles involved left the scene, prompting authorities to initiate a search. Notifications from a cell phone alerted the family of the fleeing driver, who then contacted emergency services to check on the situation.

The vehicle that remained at the scene was towed away for further investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident or the whereabouts of the driver who fled to contact local law enforcement. Motorists are advised to exercise caution when traveling through the area as investigations continue. Our thoughts are with those affected by this unfortunate event.

Potential Legal Considerations

When someone is hurt because another person was careless, it’s called negligence. In a situation where a person is injured in a hit-and-run accident, the driver who left the scene might be considered negligent. This is because they did not act responsibly by stopping to help or report the accident. The injured person, or victim, has the right to seek compensation for their injuries. This means they can ask for money to help pay for things like medical bills and other costs related to the accident.

Victims of such accidents can file a claim with their own insurance company if the person who caused the accident cannot be found. Many insurance policies have something called “uninsured motorist coverage.” This type of coverage helps protect people when the person who caused the accident doesn’t have insurance or cannot be identified, like in a hit-and-run. The victim’s insurance company might pay for the damages, and then try to find the person responsible to get the money back.

It’s important for victims to report the accident to the police and their insurance company as soon as possible. This helps create a record of what happened and can be useful if the victim decides to take legal action later. If the driver who caused the accident is found, the victim might also be able to file a lawsuit against them. This could lead to the driver being required to pay for the victim’s medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.