Driver Collides With 2 Trees On Lakeville Hwy, DUI Suspected: PD

PETALUMA, CA — A Petaluma man is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol Wednesday when he collided with two trees in the center median of Lakeville Highway.

Officers were responding at 9:40 p.m. Wednesday to a call about a fight on Lakeville Highway when they came upon the crash at Lakeville Highway and the northbound onramp to U.S. Highway 101, Petaluma police Sgt. Paul Gilman said.

After colliding with two trees, a Volkswagen sedan driven by 21-year-old Petaluma resident Juan Flores-Vasquez came to rest blocking the No. 1 and 2 lanes of westbound Lakeville Highway, police said.

"The tremendous impact of the vehicle ejected the entire engine block, which came to rest blocking the number 1 eastbound lane of Lakeville," Gilman said. "The engine appeared to be on fire when the first officer arrived on scene."

A passenger was asleep in the passenger seat and was not injured in the collision.

Both Flores-Vasquez and the passenger were taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital as a precaution.

An officer followed the Petaluma Fire Department ambulance to the hospital and evaluated Flores-Vasquez for suspected driving under the influence.

Flores-Vasquez was arrested on suspicion of DUI with a blood alcohol content over .08 percent, police said.

"In this instance, Florez-Vasquez was driving at more than 1 and ½ times the legal limit," Gilman said. "Additionally, he was unlicensed and driving at a speed much higher than the posted speed limit."

The roadway was reopened after the tow company and Petaluma Public Works Department cleared the crash debris.

The driver and passenger were not involved in the initial fight call officers were responding to, Gilman said.