The California Highway Patrol said the driver lost control, and two passengers were taken to a Santa Rosa hospital with major injuries.
GUERNEVILLE, CA - October 21, 2026
A fatal crash early Monday, October 19, on State Route 116 near Guerneville killed Tom O'Bryan, owner of the Blue Heron restaurant along the Russian River. The restaurant has closed until further notice, according to reports. The California Highway Patrol is investigating.
Key Facts
- Date: October 19, 2026, around 12:17 a.m.
- Location: Westbound State Route 116 at Redwood Drive, west of Guerneville
- Type of crash: The driver lost control, left the roadway, and struck a rock and a tree. The vehicle caught fire.
- Vehicles involved: Mercedes
- Injuries / fatalities: One fatality (the driver). Two adult male passengers sustained major injuries.
- Responding agencies: California Highway Patrol (Santa Rosa area office)
- Reported by: New York Post
Crash Overview
Around 12:17 a.m. on October 19, a Mercedes traveling westbound on State Route 116 at Redwood Drive, west of Guerneville, left the roadway, according to the California Highway Patrol. The driver, Tom O'Bryan, owner of the Blue Heron restaurant in the Duncan Mills area, had lost control of the vehicle, authorities said. The vehicle struck a rock and a tree, and the impact caused it to catch fire.
Emergency responders found O'Bryan dead inside the wreckage. Two adult male passengers were able to get out of the vehicle, but both sustained major injuries. The CHP said they were taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment.
The Blue Heron announced that it will stay closed until further notice. The restaurant's posts, attributed to the family and business, said the owner's death was a devastating loss and expressed concern for those injured.
People Involved
Tom O'Bryan, the driver, died in the crash. He owned the Blue Heron restaurant. The two adult male passengers were reported to have major injuries; their names and ages were not published.