Driver Hurt, Arrested, Paraplegic Passenger Critically Injured After Rollover Collision

ROHNERT PARK, CA – Two injured men, one a paraplegic passenger and the other, the alleged driver, who was arrested for suspected driving under the influence, were rushed to the hospital this morning after an off-duty officer came upon a rollover crash at the intersection of Golf Course and Country Club drives in Rohnert Park, according to police.

The officer was driving home after work at approximately 2 a.m. when he saw several subjects attempting to put a man, who reportedly had injuries that previously rendered him a paraplegic, into a wheelchair near the crash site and called for an ambulance, the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety said.

Police said investigators determined the two individuals, who just left the Graton Resort & Casino, were in the car prior to the collision. The driver of the vehicle, suspected to be intoxicated, was identified as William Kammerer, 27 of Santa Rosa, the agency said.

Kammerer subsequently was arrested and booked into the Sonoma County Jail for suspicion of felony DUI causing injury and criminal threats, police said.

One witness, following the vehicle, said at least one person, or possibly both, was ejected from the car when it struck a curb at a high rate of speed and rolled several times, police said.

That paraplegic individual, who was determined to be a passenger in the car, was transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital in critical condition with a possible broken femur, punctured lung, internal head injury and a fractured neck, police said. According to attending medical staff at the hospital, if the officer had not stopped and care was delayed, the man would likely have died, the department said.

The suspected driver, Kammerer, was taken to the hospital with moderate injuries. However, police said that during the hospital ride, Kammerer allegedly told medics he was a member of a criminal street gang and threatened to kill them since they were transporting him to the hospital.

The Rohnert Park Major Accident Investigation Team, investigating the collision, reported that Kammerer was driving a 2004 BMW at a high rate of speed east on Golf Course Drive, after leaving the casino, and entered the left-hand sweeping corner approaching Country Club Drive when he applied the brakes, ultimately locking up the wheels.

According to the department: "After sliding for approximately 200 feet, the vehicle struck the right curb which snapped the right front wheel off the axle. The vehicle left the roadway, continued onto the grass for an additional 230 feet before coming to rest on the sidewalk of County Club Drive.

"The total distance traveled from the time the driver applied the brakes was over 450 feet. The preliminary collision investigation revealed the BMW was travelling at least 60 mph after the brakes were applied, the vehicle slid 200 feet and it struck the curb."

Police said it was unknown if the injured passenger was seated at the time of the collision because all parties allegedly are being uncooperative with investigators.

The passenger was not identified due to his medical condition, police said, adding that he is wanted on several criminal warrants in the Los Angeles and San Bernardino area.

Kammerer's bail was set at $100,000.

Also see: 2 Families, Sheriff's Office Devastated By Boy's Death In Suspected DUI Crash On I-680