Sonoma Attack Suspect Arrested In His Underwear: Sheriff's Office

SONOMA, CA — A man accused of attacking someone who tried to help him was arrested after he was spotted running through a Sonoma vineyard Wednesday morning wearing only his underwear, a Sonoma County sheriff's official said. The suspect, 37-year-old transient Wayne Fortier, tested positive for methamphetamine and ultimately wound up in jail, according to sheriff's Spokeswoman Misti Wood.

Deputies began searching for Fortier after they responded at about 2:40 a.m. Wednesday to the 2100 block of Broadway in Sonoma to speak with a man who said he was attacked when he tried to help someone who crashed their pickup truck.

The Good Samaritan told deputies he was driving home from work when he stopped and offered to help the driver — later identified as Fortier — whose truck was stuck in a ditch.

"The driver ran toward the victim and raised a hammer or similar tool as he approached him," Wood said. "The victim began driving away and the suspect hit the victim’s back door on the driver’s side with the tool."

After the alleged attack, Fortier ran off, Wood said.

"Deputies searched the area but were not able to immediately find him," Wood said.

Until about 7:40 a.m., that is, when residents in the 100 block of Specht Road called the sheriff’s office to report a man running in their vineyard wearing only underwear, Wood said.

As deputies responded, Fortier was seen running south of the callers' home and then into the front yard of a house in the 200 block of Watmaugh Road, where he seemed "confused and paranoid" as he was taken into custody , Wood said.

Sonoma Valley Fire personnel arrived to treat Fortier for scrapes on his arms and legs, then took him to a hospital at his request.

"While at the hospital, Fortier tested positive for methamphetamine," Wood said.

Fortier was arrested and later booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Fortier's bail was set at $30,000; according to jail records, he was still in custody Thursday afternoon.