Rohnert Park, CA – A man suspected of causing a deadly road rage crash in Sonoma County over the weekend has been charged with murder. Diego Alexis Diaz-Hernandez, 20, faces several charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, reckless driving, and hit-and-run, after a violent spree that resulted in at least three collisions, authorities confirmed on Monday.
The fatal crash, which occurred on Saturday, tragically took the life of 33-year-old Carena Piccinotti. Friends and loved ones gathered at a memorial to honor her memory. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Piccinotti was a passenger in a silver VW Atlas Cross Sport when Diaz-Hernandez allegedly rammed the vehicle with his Mazda CX-30, rear-ending it multiple times.
The impact sent the VW out of control and into oncoming traffic on Stony Point Road, colliding with a black Mercedes and striking the passenger side. Piccinotti died at the scene, while the driver of the VW and a child in the SUV sustained major injuries. The driver and passenger of the Mercedes were also seriously injured.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the Mazda and VW driving at high speeds before the crash. Rosie Garcia, who works at a roadside stand nearby, hopes drivers exercise caution and avoid dangerous behaviors like speeding and aggressive driving. “Don’t race,” Garcia advised. “Life is precious, and it’s not worth risking it.”
Authorities have not confirmed whether the VW driver was attempting to flee from Diaz-Hernandez during the incident. After the deadly crash, the suspect was involved in another collision near Highway 116 and Redwood Drive and yet another on Highway 101, where he was finally arrested by police.
This tragic Sonoma County crash underscores the dangers of road rage and reckless driving. Our hearts go out to Carena Piccinotti’s family and all those injured in this senseless act. Drivers must remember that aggressive actions on the road can lead to irreversible consequences, affecting many lives. We hope for a full recovery for the injured and justice for the victims.