Driver of Sunday Fatal Crash Identified as Danny Cox

The driver of the solo vehicle that crashed on Highway 101 Sunday evening has been identified as Danny Cox, the 19-year-old Petaluma teen who the community rallied around following a diving accident that left him paralyzed.

Sunday's fatal accident occurred at 5:30pm north of Olompali Park, according to the California Highway Patrol. The 2005 Dodge Magnum Cox was driving struck an oak tree after the car veered off the road for an unknown reason.

The car came to rest about 10 feet from the highway in a ditch. CHP said the car was not speeding and that there were no skid marks on the highway. Cox was pronounced dead at the scene.

Danny Cox graduated from Petaluma High School last year where he was a standout track athlete. He was on a trip to Lake Tahoe last August when a diving accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. He had been receiving stem cell transplants in Panama and physical therapy and had made some progress, according to his mom, Maureen McGowan.

But Cox also struggled with being confined to a wheelchair and had been feeling depressed, McGowan said. He had also recently received his new driver's license so he could drive to his own physical therapy appointments.

"The loss is going to be monumental for Danny's family and for all of Petaluma," said Arnie Cohen, founder of the , which last year held a fundraiser for Danny Cox. More than 1500 people attended the event, which raised money for Danny's care.

"It’s not uncommon for people his age to really be challenged with this," Cohen said. "Whatever is determined to be the cause, I hope that we can learn from that and provide some support for people in a similar situation in the future."

Memorial services are pending.