Guerneville Road near Frei Road: a 43-year-old woman with a bicycle was struck by a driver who kept going, and she was not found until the next morning
GRATON, CALIFORNIA (September 27, 2026): Shannon Skilling, 43, of Petaluma was killed in a hit-and-run on Guerneville Road near Frei Road, east of Graton and north of Sebastopol, sometime on the evening of Sunday, September 27, according to the California Highway Patrol, as reported by The Press Democrat. The CHP said Skilling was walking or riding a bicycle when an unknown vehicle traveling east struck her and left the scene.
Her body was not found until about 7:45 a.m. Monday, September 28, when authorities responded to a report of a person lying in a ditch along Guerneville Road, The Press Democrat reported. Investigators believe her bicycle was dragged or moved more than a mile east. At about 8:45 p.m. Sunday, a different driver reported running over a bicycle in the eastbound lane, but no rider or pedestrian was found nearby at that time, according to the CHP.
The CHP said the vehicle that struck Skilling may have damage to its right front end, including a broken right headlight. As of Tuesday, investigators were still searching for that vehicle and no arrest had been announced. The Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition told The Press Democrat that this stretch of Guerneville Road has no bike lanes or street lights.
Anyone who drove on Guerneville Road between Graton and Santa Rosa on Sunday evening, or who has seen a vehicle with fresh damage to its right front headlight, is asked to contact the California Highway Patrol.
Liability for the Graton Hit-and-Run
California Vehicle Code § 20001 requires any driver involved in a crash that injures or kills a person to stop, give aid and identify themselves. Under Vehicle Code § 21200, people riding bicycles generally have the same rights and duties as drivers, and drivers owe pedestrians and riders a duty of ordinary care under Civil Code § 1714. Based on what the CHP has released, the civil questions include:
- Failure to stop: Skilling lay in a ditch for hours after the crash. Leaving an injured person without calling for help is a separate crime, and it can weigh heavily in how a court views the driver’s conduct.
- Identifying the vehicle: The CHP said the vehicle may have a broken right headlight. Body shops, parts orders and cameras along Guerneville Road can help trace it.
- The second driver: A separate driver ran over the bicycle more than a mile away. Investigators will determine what role, if any, that second event played.
- Road conditions: The stretch has no bike lanes or lighting, according to the bicycle coalition. Road design and lighting may be reviewed if a public agency is responsible for that roadway.
Skilling’s surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim under Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60. That civil claim is separate from any criminal case, and it can move forward even while the driver is unidentified, often through uninsured motorist coverage.
Steps to Take After a Graton Hit-and-Run
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, most bicyclist deaths in the United States happen after dark or at dusk, and rural roads without lighting are especially dangerous. When the driver flees, acting early helps both the investigation and the family.
- Stay in contact with the CHP: Ask for the case number and updates on the search for the vehicle with the damaged right headlight.
- Keep the bicycle and belongings: Do not repair or throw away the bicycle, lights, helmet or clothing. They can show the point and angle of impact.
- Check insurance coverage: Uninsured motorist coverage on a household auto policy may apply to hit-and-run crashes. California policies generally require a police report within 24 hours for that coverage.
- Victim assistance: The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) may help families of hit-and-run victims with certain funeral and related costs.
Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If road design or a public agency is involved, a government claim is generally due within six months under Government Code § 911.2. Contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.
Investigating the Graton Hit-and-Run
We at Carrazco Law, A.P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Shannon Skilling. Important questions remain: Who was driving the eastbound vehicle with the damaged right headlight on Sunday evening? And how did Skilling remain undiscovered along Guerneville Road until the next morning?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car, truck, bicycle or pedestrian accident anywhere in California, our personal injury attorneys can help you understand your rights and legal options. Call us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español. Free consultation.
Published on October 1, 2026 by M.M., Carrazco Law, A.P.C. The incident described in this article occurred on September 27, 2026.
