Rick DeGeorgis, 47, Killed in Tragic Car Accident

August 5, 2008 UPDATE

Sonoma Index Tribune
source

Rick Allen DeGeorgis, 47, went to be with his heavenly father on July 31, 2008, in Sonoma.

Rick is survived by his loving wife, Shelley; his son, Brennan; and his daughters, Sheala, Kylie and Rikki Lynn, all whom he loved deeply. He is also survived by his loving parents, Joe and Ginger Woidtke and Richard DeGeorgis; his sister, Tami Alexander; nieces, nephews; and other family members, all of whom loved him. Rick was born in Richmond in 1960 and moved to Sonoma in 1966.

He graduated from Sonoma Valley High School in 1978. He went on to open his own successful sheet rocking business in Sonoma. One of Rick's great joys was golf as well as riding his motorcycle. Rick will be missed by all who knew him.

Friends are invited to attend a celebration of his life at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug 7, 2008, at the Faith Lutheran Church, 19355 Arnold Drive, Sonoma.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Private inurnment.

Inquiries can be made to Duggan's Mission Chapel.


August 2, 2009 UPDATE

Obituary for Rick Allen DeGeorgis

DeGEORGIS, Rick Allen
Nov. 11, 1960-July 31, 2008
On July 31, 2008, Rick went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Rick is survived by his loving wife Shelley, his devoted son Brennan and his loving daughter (Rikki). He is also survived by his first wife Lisa Bernabovi; his loving parents (Joe and Ginger Woidtke and Richard DeGeorgis); by his step-daughters Sheala and Kylie, whom he loved deeply. He was devoted to his sister Tami Alexander (Rocky); niece and nephew, Ashley and Justin; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Rick was a well-known sheetrock contractor and belonged to the Builder Exchange. Rick was born in Richmond. He moved to Sonoma in 1966 and attended schools in Sonoma. He played Little League Baseball and other sports throughout his school years, which included bull riding. He was an avid golfer. Rick will be missed by all who knew him.
Services are pending at Duggan's Mission Chapel, 525-W. Napa St., Sonoma.

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Published in the Press Democrat on 8/2/2008
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UPDATE
Man killed in Stage Gulch Road wreck

Sonoma Index Tribune
Published: Fri 8/1/2008
source

A 47-year-old Sonoma man was killed Thursday afternoon in wreck on Stage Gulch Road, and the driver of the car he was riding in has been charged with vehicular homicide and driving under the influence.

According to the CHP, at 5:35 p.m., a 1969 GTO driven by Curtis Kapple, 46, of Sonoma, was eastbound on Stage Gulch Road just west of Watmaugh Road at approximately 70 miles an hour. Kapple came up quickly on a car driven by Philip Dennie, 61, of Sonoma, and sped up to pass Dennie's car. The CHP said that while attempting to pass, Kapple pulled over into the westbound lanes across a double yellow line. Seeing traffic coming his way, Kapple made a quick turn to get back into his lane.

The right-hand side of Kapple's vehicle struck the left-hand side of Dennie's vehicle. Kapple then lost control and he hit a guard rail on the south side of the highway. Kapple veered off the road and came to a stop on the shoulder. The CHP said that as the result of hitting the guard rail, the passenger in Kapple's car, 47-year-old Rick Allen DeGeorgis, of Sonoma, suffered fatal injuries.

Kapple suffered minor injuries and was transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where he was treated. Dennie wasn't injured in the incident.

The CHP charged Kapple with vehicular homicide and driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage.

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OTHER ARTICLES

www.kfty.com Driver arrested in connection with fatal crash

Sonoma Sun Sonoma man arrested in fatal DUI

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UPDATE
DUI suspected in fatal Sonoma crash

By BOB NORBERG
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Friday, August 1, 2008 at 4:30 a.m.

source

A man killed in a high-speed crash near Sonoma on Thursday has been identified as Rick DeGeorgis, 47, a Sonoma resident.

DeGeorgis was a passenger in a car driven by Curtis Kapple, 46, also a Sonoma resident, who was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and drunken driving, according the the California Highway Patrol.

Highway 116 was closed for three hours after the 6:05 p.m. crash as officers investigated the crash, said CHP Officer Jaret Paulson.

Kapple was driving a 1969 Pontiac GTO that was traveling at about 70 mph on Highway 116 near Watmaugh Road at 6:05 p.m. when he attempted to pass another car across a double yellow line, the CHP said.

The CHP said that Kapple swerved back into his own lane to avoid on-coming traffic and hit the side of the car he was passing, which was being driven by Philip Dennie of Sonoma.

The CHP said Kapple’s car then hit the guard rail and came to a stop on the dirt shoulder of the road.

DeGeorgis suffered fatal injuries in the impact with the guard rail and was pronounced dead at the scene, the CHP said.

Kapple was treated at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and released. He was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Dennie was not injured, the CHP said.

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UPDATE
DUI suspected in fatal Sonoma crash

By BOB NORBERG
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Friday, August 1, 2008 at 4:30 a.m.

source

The driver of a speeding car which crashed Thursday near Sonoma, fatally injuring a passenger, has been arrested for suspicion of manslaughter and drunken driving, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The man who died was 47 years old and from Sonoma. His identify is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin, according to the CHP.

Curtis Kapple, 46, of Sonoma, was the driver of a car that was traveling at about 70 mph on Highway 116 near Watmaugh Road at 6:05 p.m. when he attempted to pass another car across a double yellow line, the CHP said.

The CHP said that Kapple swerved back into his own lane to avoid on-coming traffic and hit the side of the car he was passing, which was being driven by Philip Dennie of Sonoma.

The CHP said Kapple’s car then hit the guard rail and came to a stop on the dirt shoulder of the road.

The passenger in the front seat was killed by the impact with the guard rail, the CHP said.

Kapple was treated at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and released. He was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Dennie was not injured, the CHP said.

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Original Article


SONOMA

1 killed when car hits railing

Published: Friday, August 1, 2008 at 4:30 a.m. Last Modified: Friday, August 1, 2008 at 3:44 a.m.

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A person in a car traveling westbound on Watmaugh Road toward Highway 116 was killed when the car slammed into a guardrail shortly after 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Traffic was rerouted around the crash site, southwest of Sonoma, for more than two hours, said CHP officer Ralph Caggiano.

Caggiano, based at the CHP's Oakland transportation management center, had few details of the accident, which remains under investigation.

There was no available information on the victim or if there were more than one person in the car.

-- Mike McCoy