Redwood Hwy and North McDowell, Petaluma | Google Maps
PETALUMA – According to an advisory message issued by the Petaluma Police Department (PPD) on April 19th just before 12pm, PPD Officer Corie Joerger was on patrol in the 5300 block of Old Redwood Highway when she turned into the Orchard Supply Hardware parking lot.
Officer Joerger observed that there was a considerable amount of brush and debris lying on the ground near the west entrance. She exited her vehicle and saw a set of tire marks that trailed up along the west curb of North McDowell Boulevard.
The tire tracks went across the sidewalk and into the parking lot. Officer Joerger also noticed a trail of fluid that tracked towards the north end of the parking lot. The trail ended under a white Ford Mustang parked near the 7-Eleven store. She also found several large pieces of shrubbery stuck under the carriage of the vehicle.
Officer Joerger approached the vehicle and saw a driver seated inside. The driver then exited the car with the car keys in his hand. Joerger observed that the driver had to use the side of the car to maintain his balance while walking.
The driver told Officer Joerger that he had gotten a flat tire and was waiting for a friend to arrive to help him change the tire. Joerger noticed that the driver had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person. The driver admitted that he had consumed 8 to 12 beers prior to driving his vehicle.
The driver was identified as 30-year-old Victor Luis Rodriguez of Petaluma. Rodriguez was evaluated for DUI and performed poorly and was arrested. An evidentiary breath test showed his blood alcohol level to be .16 BAC, which is double the legal limit of .08 in California.
A records check showed Rodriguez is already on felony probation for three prior DUI convictions within the last 10 years and that he was driving on a suspended driver’s license. He is being held without bail as a result of the probation violation.
