Rohnert Park Man Arrested In Connection With DUI Head-On Crash

PETALUMA, CA — A man was arrested in Petaluma on Saturday in connection with a head-on collision. Police believe he was intoxicated while he was behind the wheel.

Adalberto Chavezarias, 25, of Rohnert Park, was driving driving northbound along North McDowell Boulevard while another driver was traveling southbound before the two vehicles collided, the Petaluma Police Department said in a statement.

Police received reports around 10 p.m. of the collision, which resulted in "major" front-end damage and air bag deployment.

Police said Chavezarias’ vehicle struck the other vehicle head-on in the southbound lane.

The driver of the other car sustained moderate injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Investigators also determined that Chavezarias was under the influence of alcohol while driving, police said.

He was arrested and booked at Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of DUI causing injury, which is a felony.

The news comes as DUI incidents continue to rise in Petaluma. At the start of the year, there were 15 DUI arrests and five DUI collisions in Petaluma, up from five DUI arrests and no DUI crashes in January 2021, police said.

Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license, Petaluma police said.

"If you plan on drinking or taking medications that may impact your ability to drive safely, plan on staying at home," officers wrote in a release.

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