Sonoma County man reportedly hits other motorist, flips own car in attempt to evade police
Photo: Penoli’s car following accident | Santa Rosa PD
A Sonoma County man recently flipped his own car in an attempt to evade police, according to reports.
On the evening of Saturday, October 30, an officer tried to pull over a vehicle allegedly being driven erratically in the area of Montgomery Village.
The driver, later identified as 56-year-old Mark Penoli of Sonoma, reportedly fled from the officer, initiating a pursuit from Montgomery Drive to Farmers Lane, and eventually to Yulupa Avenue and Bennett Valley Road, police said.
As backup officers prepared to deploy a spike strip near westbound Sonoma Highway in the area of Calistoga Road, Penoli allegedly ran a red light and struck another motorist making a left turn at Mountain Hawk, reportedly flipping Penoli’s vehicle.
Police say neither Penoli nor the other driver sustained serious injuries. The other driver was treated at the scene, and Penoli was treated for minor injuries at an area hospital.
Penoli, as it turned out, was wanted on an outstanding warrant for felony violation of post-release community supervision. He was ultimately booked on suspicion of felony evading causing injury and other charges.
