The California Highway Patrol says rain is likely a factor of a deadly crash in the North Bay.

It happened just before 8 a.m. Friday on Bennett Valley Road in Sonoma County.

Authorities say 37-year-old Hollie Pruden was driving a Toyota Yaris when it slid sideways on the slick road and was hit by a Mercedes.

Pruden, who was an employee at Sonoma State University, was killed. The driver of the Mercedes suffered minor injuries.

The president of Sonoma State University released this statement on Friday night.

“We are working on plans for remembering and celebrating Hollie in an appropriate way. In the meantime, we are extending our deepest and most sincere condolences to Hollie’s family. 

She was much too young with so much potential for us to lose her. This is indeed a very sad day for the Seawolf community.”

Here is the full statement from the university:

Dr. Judy K. Sakaki, president of Sonoma State University released the following statement today concerning a traffic fatality today on Bennett Valley Road in Sonoma County involving Hollie N. Pruden, a member of the University community:
 
“Our hearts are breaking at the tragic passing of Hollie Pruden, an advisor within the Academic Services department and beloved member of our Seawolf family. Although Hollie was a relatively new member of our campus community, she was a highly valued colleague and mentor to our students. She was energetic, creative and dedicated to helping our undeclared students find their passion and offering them the guidance they needed.  In recognition of how this tragedy has affected the university, counseling support is being made available to all those who desire it. We also are working on plans for remembering and celebrating Hollie in an appropriate way. In the meantime, we are extending our deepest and most sincere condolences to Hollie’s family. She was much too young with so much potential for us to lose her. This is indeed a very sad day for the Seawolf community.”
 
According to the California Highway Patrol, the accident occurred at 7:49 a.m. on Bennett Valley Road near Carrithers Road, just south of the Santa Rosa border. Pruden, 37, was driving a Toyota Yaris that was struck by a Mercedes E350 westbound after the Toyota reportedly slid sideways on the road. The driver of the Mercedes was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with minor to moderate injuries, according to the CHP.

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