Petaluma Woman Accused Of DUI In Lakeville Highway Crash: Police

PETALUMA, CA — A Petaluma woman is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol in a crash with a box truck Thursday on Lakeville Highway/state Highway 116 near Pine View Way, police said.

The California Highway Patrol received a report at 7:57 a.m. Friday that a suspected impaired driver was traveling northeast on Lakeville Highway toward Petaluma, the Petaluma Police Department said.

Officers were en route to the area when the driver, later identified as 50-year-old Petaluma resident Julie Martin, crossed over the double-yellow lines and collided head-on with a box truck, police said.

"After Martin’s vehicle crossed the double-yellow lines into oncoming traffic, her vehicle struck the box truck causing two additional vehicles to crash," police said Friday in a news release. "One of the drivers suffered minor injuries as a result of the traffic collision."

Martin displayed symptoms of alcohol intoxication and was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and violating her DUI probation, police said.

The crash blocked Lakeville Highway in both directions until around 10 a.m. Thursday.

"As more businesses reopen, causing increased traffic, the Petaluma Police Department encourages anyone planning to drink alcohol to have a designated driver or use a ride-sharing company," police said.

Police asked anyone who witnessed the incident or collision Thursday to call the Petaluma Police Department at 707-778-4372.