Crime & Safety

A Trail Of Crashes Ends In Hit-And-Run Investigation Of Rohnert Park Driver

Petaluma police located the vehicle after witnesses reported reckless driving and shared information with investigators Monday afternoon.

Reports of reckless driving led officers to a traffic stop and an arrest of a Rohnert Park man in Petaluma.
Reports of reckless driving led officers to a traffic stop and an arrest of a Rohnert Park man in Petaluma. (Petaluma Police Department)

ROHNERT PARK, CA — Petaluma police arrested a Rohnert Park man after receiving reports of erratic driving and collisions in north Petaluma.

One of the reports involved a blue sedan driving through a red light and nearly colliding with another vehicle at Petaluma Boulevard North and Magnolia Avenue.

While police search the area, dispatchers received additional reports of collisions involving a blue Honda sedan that did not stop after the incidents.

Find out what's happening in Rohnert Park-Cotatifor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Working with information from callers, an officer stopped the vehicle near Petaluma Boulevard North and East Washington Street.

The Petaluma Department identified the driver as Jessie Nielson, 34, of Rohnert Park.

Find out what's happening in Rohnert Park-Cotatifor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Officers conducted a field sobriety evaluation, and police said their investigation led them to believe Nielson had been driving while impaired. A records check also showed he was driving with a suspended license, according to police.

Nielson was booked into the Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, driving on a suspended license, possession of inhalants and marijuana while driving, and hit and run.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.