Community
DUI Driver Arrested After Collision
Incident: DUI Driver arrested after collision
Report Number: 22-3896
Occurred Date : September 12, 2022
Occurred Time: 1:21 AM
Location: East Washington Street at Copeland
Street, Petaluma
Suspects: Gaudencio Cortes-Chavez, 31-year-old, Rohnert Park resident
Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Unlicensed Driver
On Monday, September 12, 2022, at approximately 1:21 AM, the Petaluma Police Department Dispatch Center received a call from a witness who reported a collision on East Washington Street near the intersection of Copeland Street. The witness observed a vehicle crash into the chain-link fence which surrounds the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) parking lot. The driver, later identified as Gaudencio Cortes-Chavez, appeared to be under the influence and was having a difficult time standing up.
Petaluma Police Department officers arrived on scene within minutes and contacted suspect Cortes-Chavez. He admitted to consuming alcohol prior to driving and colliding with the fence. He was un-injured as a result of the collision. A series of Field Sobriety Tests were administered and suspect Cortes-Chavez was placed under arrest for suspected driving under the influence of alcohol. Suspect Cortes-Chavez provided an evidentiary breath sample which revealed his Blood Alcohol Content was three and a half times the legal limit. Suspect Cortes-Chavez was later transported and booked in the Sonoma County Jail.
The Petaluma Police Department would like to thank the witness for reporting the collision. The Petaluma Police Department is committed to increasing traffic safety and reducing the number of alcohol-related collisions.
DUI Driver Arrested After Collision 
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Monday, September 12, 2022
Issued By:
Acting Sergeant Chris Ricci, Petaluma PD, 707.778.4372, [email protected]
Incident: DUI Driver arrested after collision
Report Number: 22-3896
Occurred Date : September 12, 2022
Occurred Time: 1:21 AM
Location: East Washington Street at Copeland
Street, Petaluma
Suspects: Gaudencio Cortes-Chavez, 31-year-old, Rohnert Park resident
Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Unlicensed Driver
Incident Summary
On Monday, September 12, 2022, at approximately 1:21 AM, the Petaluma Police Department Dispatch Center received a call from a witness who reported a collision on East Washington Street near the intersection of Copeland Street. The witness observed a vehicle crash into the chain-link fence which surrounds the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) parking lot. The driver, later identified as Gaudencio Cortes-Chavez, appeared to be under the influence and was having a difficult time standing up.
Petaluma Police Department officers arrived on scene within minutes and contacted suspect Cortes-Chavez. He admitted to consuming alcohol prior to driving and colliding with the fence. He was un-injured as a result of the collision. A series of Field Sobriety Tests were administered and suspect Cortes-Chavez was placed under arrest for suspected driving under the influence of alcohol. Suspect Cortes-Chavez provided an evidentiary breath sample which revealed his Blood Alcohol Content was three and a half times the legal limit. Suspect Cortes-Chavez was later transported and booked in the Sonoma County Jail.
The Petaluma Police Department would like to thank the witness for reporting the collision. The Petaluma Police Department is committed to increasing traffic safety and reducing the number of alcohol-related collisions.
Address/Location
Petaluma Police Department
969 Petaluma Blvd N
Petaluma, CA 94952
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 707-778-4372
TEXT-A-TIP - Text TIP PETPD followed by your message, to 888777
