Man killed by car ID'd

'Generous' store worker ran into path of vehicle

By MARSHA DORGAN
Register Staff Writer

A Rutherford man died Monday night when he ran directly into the path of a car on Highway 29, north of the Oakville Cross Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Rosario Benitez Fernandez, 45, suffered major injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Close to 8:15 p.m., Monday, Kathy D. Wood, 49, of St. Helena was driving her 2006 Volvo north on the highway about 55 miles per hour, the CHP said.

She suddenly noticed a man standing in the middle of the highway in the center turn lane. The man, later identified as Fernandez, darted into the northbound lane in front of Wood’s Volvo, the CHP said.

Wood did not have enough time to brake and avoid hitting Fernandez, the CHP said.

Fernandez worked at Oakville Grocery, which is on the corner of the intersection where the fatal accident happened.

He had left work around 5:30 p.m., according to the county coroner’s office.

“At this time we have very little information why the victim was standing in the roadway or what he was doing between the time he got off work and was hit,” CHP Officer Jaret Paulson said. “The accident is under investigation.”

Jayme Whitmore, Oakville Grocery assistant manager, said Fernandez had worked at the store for a few years in the sandwich area.

“He was very sweet and generous and was willing to help anyone at any time,” Whitmore told the Register on Tuesday afternoon.

This is the second fatal traffic accident in Napa County in the last four days.

Stacey Juliano, 17, of Pope Valley died on Sunday at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital from injuries she suffered when her car drifted off the road and plowed into an oak tree.

That crash happened last Thursday evening on Pope Valley Road, near Ink Grade.

The CHP is asking anyone who witnessed the incident on Highway 29 at Oakville Cross Road to contact the CHP at 253-4906.

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