Apparent domestic assault leads to serious traffic accident

Kerrie Lindecker and Nathan Wright
Healdsburg police were investigating a possible domestic dispute
that led to a serious car accident on Healdsburg Avenue this
afternoon, sending two people to the hospital, one in serious
condition.
Police received multiple 911 calls at 1:51 p.m. reporting that a
car had struck a pedestrian on Healdsburg Avenue south of Mill
Street.
When police arrived on the scene shortly after, they found Jesus
Espinoza, 28, of Healdsburg laying in the street with serious
injuries.
According to Healdsburg Police Sgt. Kevin Young, after speaking
with multiple witnesses, it was determined that Espinoza was
assaulting a woman while they were riding in a car. Espinoza pulled
into Healdsburg Avenue traffic from a parking lot and was struck by
a panel truck that was heading southbound. The impact of the crash
threw Espinoza from the car, where he was then dragged about 30
feet south.
He was immediately taken to the hospital while police closed
Healdsburg Avenue from the 5-way at Mill Street to the Highway 101
south onramp. The street remained closed for more than 30
minutes.
According to Young, the driver of the panel truck, whose name
was not immediately available, was not responsible for the
accident.
A tow truck, ambulances and the fire department were all called
to the scene.
When the stretch was reopened shortly after 2:30 p.m., one
southbound lane remained closed while police continued their
investigation.
Police are continuing to investigate the incident. Due to
domestic violence confidentiality laws, the name of the woman in
the car was not being released by the police. She was also taken to
the hospital with injuries.
“We will be investigating as an injury traffic accident and
determining if there will be any criminal charges against
Espinoza,” Young said.