Suspected DUI Driver Crashes Into Petaluma Building: Police

PETALUMA, CA — A Petaluma man is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol in a collision into a building Wednesday on Washington Street, police said. Investigators believe Robert Jeffry Bechler, 59 — who is already on Sonoma County probation for a previous wet-and-reckless conviction — suffered an unknown medical condition and lost consciousness at about 11 a.m. Wednesday while stopped at a red light on eastbound Washington at Howard Street, Petaluma police Sgt. Jeremy Walsh said in a news release.

"Bechler then accelerated away from the light and continued eastbound at an estimated speed of 30 mph," Walsh said. "Bechler left the roadway on the southside of Washington Street and hit a tree. The impact from the initial collision caused the vehicle to overturn and launch into the side of a building."

Petaluma police officers, firefighters and paramedics responded to find Bechler trapped inside his white 1999 Ford E-Series van at the building in the 400 block of Washington Street.

Once freed from the wreckage, Bechler was medically evaluated and was later transported to Santa Rosa for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, Walsh said.

Petaluma police officer Mario Giomi was among those who responded to the scene. Upon determining Bechler was on active probation, Giomi suspected Bechler may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, Walsh said.

"Officer Giomi initiated a subsequent DUI investigation which confirmed his suspicion," Walsh said. "Bechler admitted to drinking and ultimately submitted to a Preliminary Alcohol Screen Device Test which indicated a .09-percent BAC."

Bechler was placed under arrest on suspicion of violation of probation and driving a vehicle with a BAC of .08 percent or higher.

"Due to Bechler’s need for further medical treatment and evaluation, he was issued a citation to appear in the Sonoma County Superior Court and released to the hospital," Walsh said.

The crash caused major structural damage to the building, which was later red-tagged by city of Petaluma building inspectors, according to police.

"Because of the need for emergency repairs of the building to prevent it from collapsing, all eastbound lanes on Washington Street were completely closed for over six hours," Walsh said. "This allowed the work crews to install temporary bracing until a more permanent fix could be completed."