'Spinning Donuts,' Driver Crashes, Catching Officers' Attention

PETALUMA, CA — A driver who allegedly crashed into a downtown Petaluma street sign while "spinning donuts" in his Cadillac was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, police said. Marco Padilla, 23, of Petaluma, was arrested after officers allegedly saw him driving recklessly at 1:55 a.m. Thursday, police Sgt. Nick McGowan said in a news release.

Petaluma Police Department officers assigned to foot patrol of the downtown area to monitor the heavy pedestrian traffic frequenting the bars during the holiday week saw Padilla spinning out, doing donuts at the intersection of Western Avenue and Kentucky Street, McGowan said.

"The driver, Marco Padilla, lost control of the vehicle and collided with a street sign," McGowan said. "Padilla attempted to flee and was detained by officers in the area."

The officers "immediately noticed Padilla displayed objective signs of alcohol impairment," the sergeant said.

Padilla allegedly refused to comply with field sobriety tests but the officers arrested him because they believed he was too impaired to safely operate the Cadillac, McGowan said.

Padilla later provided a breath sample, which allegedly indicated his blood-alcohol level was over three times the legal limit at 0.26 percent, the sergeant said.

The 23-year-old was booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of DUI and reckless driving.

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