Cops think man ditched girlfriend to conceal DUI

PETALUMA — A couple’s romance may have seen better days after a 43-year-old Petaluma man left his girlfriend lying in the parking lot of a local bar bleeding from a non-life-threatening cut on her head Sunday evening.

Mark Daniel Dickinson’s girlfriend fell off the back of his motorcycle as he drove away from the First Edition Bar, on 1420 E. Washington St., around 6:15 p.m. Feb. 7.

Dickinson left the victim on the road with a large head laceration and burns to her leg. She was admitted to an area hospital where her non-life threatening injuries were treated.

Petaluma police officers found the motorcycle at Dickinson’s home in the 100 block of Jeffery Drive. They learned from witnesses that Dickinson had arrived home on the motorcycle, but fled the area in the victim’s vehicle.

Roughly 90 minutes later, officers discovered the victim’s vehicle a block away from Dickinson’s house. In searching the area, they located Dickinson hiding in a neighbor’s house and took him into custody without incident.

“During the investigation it was determined Dickinson was above the legal limit of alcohol at the time of the accident,” said Sgt. Marty Frye.

Dickinson is currently on probation out of Sonoma County for a prior DUI conviction in August 2010. As part of Dickinson’s probation terms, he was not allowed to drive with any alcohol in his system.

It was also determined that Dickinson did not have a motorcycle license and his driver’s license was restricted, allowing him to only drive to and from his place of employment.

Dickinson was booked into Sonoma County jail where his bail was set at $30,000.