Petaluma Police Department
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Monday, April 10, 2023
Incident: DUI Driver Arrested after Collision at SMART parking lot
Report Number: 23-1531
Occurred Date : April 8, 2023
Occurred Time: 11:56 p.m.
Location: East Washington Street/ Copeland Street
Suspect: Christopher Murica (age 23, San Rafael)
Charges: 23152 VC (DUI), 20002 VC (Hit and Run)
Incident Summary-
On 4/8/2023, at approximately 11:56 p.m., the Petaluma Police Department received a call about a traffic collision initiated on the corner of East Washington Street and Copeland Street. It was reported that the (solo) vehicle, traveling eastbound on East Washington Street, collided with a parking lot chain link fence along East Washington St, just west of the SMART downtown station. The vehicle continued through the gravel parking lot, dragging the fence approximately 50 yards. The vehicle continued through another chain link fence southbound through a vacant lot between the SMART station and Copeland Street. The vehicle continued for approximately 150 yards before it came to rest. As officers were arriving on scene, they observed the driver, later identified as Murica, flee on foot. A short time later Murica was detained, and a DUI investigation was initiated based on his objective signs of alcohol intoxication. Murica was ultimately arrested for DUI and Hit and Run. He was later booked into the Sonoma County Jail.
