Full Notification

On Saturday, March 19^th at 1:28 AM, Petaluma PD officers responded to a report of a vehicle collision on East Washington Street at Copeland Street.  The first officers on scene located a solo vehicle blocking the eastbound slow lane of East Washington.  They contacted the driver, Ho Tse, a 34-year-old, Richmond resident.  Tse told the officers he was drinking alcoholic beverages in Downtown Petaluma, was driving home and fell asleep while driving.  Tse struck the curb of the roadway and sustained moderate damage to his vehicle.  There was no one else in Tse’s vehicle.  The investigating officer smelled an odor of alcohol coming from Tse.  A DUI investigation was conducted and Tse was placed under arrest for DUI.   Tse was transported to Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility, and his vehicle was towed. 
 
Since January 1, 2022, Petaluma PD officers have made 52 DUI arrests.  Of those, 15 were DUI collisions, resulting in 5 injuries.   During the same time-period in 2021, officers made 19 DUI arrests.  Of those 8 were DUI collisions, resulting in 2 injuries. 

The Department has been committed to increasing traffic safety and especially reducing the number of alcohol-related collisions.   The two new DUI officers that started in mid-January have made almost half of the DUI arrests made since January 1, 2022.  Petaluma Police advise motorist to plan ahead if you’re going to go out and drink alcohol, designate a sober driver or share a ride.  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.

Media inquiries may be directed to Lieutenant Tim Lyons at [email protected] or phone 707-778-4372.