The Santa Rosa Police Department identified the woman as 66-year-old Dawna Heller of Santa Rosa. She was injured in a crash that happened at around 10 a.m. on August 30, 2026, at Third and Morgan streets.
Santa Rosa, CA – A female motorcyclist who was hit and seriously injured by an SUV last month in Santa Rosa later died from her injuries, authorities reported.
The Santa Rosa Police Department identified the woman as 66-year-old Dawna Heller of Santa Rosa. She was injured in a crash that happened at around 10 a.m. on August 30, 2026, at Third and Morgan streets.
Authorities were informed by witnesses that Heller was riding a 2003 Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a man was driving a 2020 Acura SUV, both traveling north on the Highway 101 off-ramp that leads to the intersection of Third and Morgan streets, west of Santa Rosa Plaza.
The driver of the SUV is believed to have turned left near the intersection to head west, and by so doing, moved into the path of the motorcyclist, resulting in a collision.
Emergency personnel from the Santa Rosa Fire Department and the Sonoma County Fire District responded to the scene and found Heller with severe injuries. The woman was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.
The SUV driver remained at the scene and cooperated with police officers. Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be a contributing factor.
Investigators closed the intersection for about two hours while they worked the scene.
On Saturday, September 12, investigators were notified that Heller died from her injuries.
The investigators are still working to determine what transpired leading to the collision. Anyone who may have information about the accident is asked to contact Officer Carolina Zepeda in the Santa Rosa PD’s Traffic Division at 707-543-8576.