A Danville woman died early Tuesday morning when the Land Rover she was driving went off a two-lane road just east of Healdsburg and crashed into a tree, said California Highway Patrol Officer Gavin Graham.

Kelly Jean Bianchi, 38, was identified as the driver of the black 2000 Land Rover Discovery that officers believe veered off Bailhache Avenue east of Village Avenue about two miles east of the Healdsburg city limits sometime before 2 a.m., according to reports.

The accident spot is on a two-lane road that goes through dense woods; it appeared the vehicle failed to negotiate a sharp right turn and went off the roadway, officials said. It wasn't certain Tuesday how long the Land Rover had been there before police were called about 2 a.m., police said.

Heather Liautaud of Redwood City, who rode on the Land Rover's passenger's side, sustained major injuries in the accident including broken ribs, lacerations and abrasions. She was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment. She is believed to be Bianchi's mother, officers said.

Both Bianchi and Liautaud were wearing their seatbelts, police said.

This is the first fatality for the CHP for the new year, said officials, and they are investigating if the accident was caused by alcohol or speeding.

Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, January 6, 2006, 12:00 AM