San Rafael crash kills wrong-way driver on Highway 101

One driver was killed and another suffered major injuries Saturday after a head-on collision on Highway 101 in San Rafael, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The crash happened at about 3:30 a.m. north of the offramp to Highway 580. The driver of a Nissan pickup was driving north in the southbound lanes and struck an oncoming BMW sedan, the CHP said.

Firefighters pronounced the driver of the Nissan dead at the crash site. Police identified him as a 22-year-old Santa Rosa man but did not release his name. The coroner’s office was notifying family members.

Medics took the driver of the BMW to MarinHealth Medical Center. Police identified him as Jay Fred King III, 30, of Novato.

The CHP is investigating the crash and suspects the driver of the Nissan was intoxicated. Witnesses with potential information for the investigation can contact Officer Skyler Ferguson at 415-924-1100.