DUI Driver Hits Cars, Fence; Tragedy Narrowly Avoided: SRPD

SANTA ROSA, CA — Tragedy was narrowly avoided when a Santa Rosa man accused of driving drunk and recklessly St. Patrick's Day crashed into a car carrying two young children, according to the Santa Rosa Police Department.

Thirty-year-old Ignacio Floriano-Munguia did land himself behind bars on several charges related to his driving and the collision, which were reported by numerous callers at 2:50 p.m. on Santa Rosa Avenue near Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa police Sgt. Robert Reynolds said in a news release.

"Several concerned citizens called 911 to report a reckless driver hit another car and then a fence," Reynolds said. "The citizen-witnesses estimated the speed of the bright orange Chevy Camaro reached as high as 100 mph ... "

Witnesses reported seeing the Camaro driver speeding northbound on Santa Rosa Avenue when all of the sudden he slammed on his brakes in an attempt to avoid hitting a car that was going the speed limit in the right lane.

Floriano-Munguia reportedly swerved to avoid rear-ending the other car, instead hitting the left quarter panel of the car.

He then "lost control and drove straight through a section of 7-foot temporary chain link fencing on the corner of Santa Rosa Ave and Bennett Valley Road," Reynolds said.

Floriano-Munguia pushed the fence along the sidewalk with his Camaro before turning onto Rutledge Avenue where he crashed into a parked car.

Had Floriano-Munguia continued driving 100 mph as witnesses said he was, it would have been a "much different and very tragic ending" for the family in the car he narrowly avoided rear-ending on Santa Rosa Avenue, Reynolds said.

"Fortunately, dad his 6-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter safely secured in their respective booster and 5-point harness car seats and they were uninjured during this collision," Reynolds said, expressing gratitude to the citizens who called 911.

According to police, Floriano-Munguia was already on probation and had a suspended license for a previous DUI incident.

On Sunday, his preliminary blood alcohol content was .20 percent, police alleged.

That's .12 percent above the legal limit of .08 percent, Reynolds pointed out.

Floriano-Munguia was arrested without further incident and booked into Sonoma County jail Sunday on suspicion of felony driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under the influence of alcohol with a BAC of .08 percent or higher, violation of DUI probation and driving on a suspended license, police said.