Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety
For Immediate Release: March 18, 2024
Issued by: J. P. Pritchard-Community Engagement Liaison
707-584-2691, [email protected]
On 03-17-24, at about 2:37 AM, the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Communications Center received several 911 calls of a two-vehicle collision near the intersection of Rohnert Park Expressway and Commerce Blvd. RPDPS patrol and fire personnel responded, with the first officer arriving on scene at about 2:39 AM, where they found a Toyota Tundra pick-up truck had collided with a SCION passenger vehicle.
The adult male driver and sole occupant of the SCION received major injuries to his lower extremities. He was extricated from his vehicle and transported to an area hospital for treatment of his injuries. His condition is not known, but he is currently in surgery.
The Toyota was driven by 44-year-old Rohnert Park resident Maria Valencia, who had two adult male passengers in the vehicle with her. One passenger sustained moderate injuries and was transported in stable condition to a local hospital for treatment. The second passenger was uninjured.
Evidence collected at the scene and witness statements placed Valencia as the driver of the Toyota. During the investigation, she showed signs and symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol. She performed poorly in Field Sobriety Tests and had a preliminary Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .15%. She was arrested and treated at an area hospital prior to being booked into the Sonoma County Jail for two counts of 23153(b) VC, felony driving under the influence of alcohol with a BAC greater than .08% resulting in injury.
The initial investigation revealed that the SCION was westbound on Rohnert Park Expressway, and the Toyota was northbound on Commerce Blvd. The vehicles collided in the intersection, and the Toyota came to rest in the southbound lanes of Commerce Blvd. in front of the Jack in the Box, and the SCION came to rest in the landscaping in front of the Jack in the Box. Both vehicles sustained major damage.
The traffic signals at the intersection were functioning properly, but it is not known which driver had the right- of-way.
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety officers are conducting an ongoing investigation into this collision, and any witnesses are encouraged to call PSO Angelesco at (707) 584-2600.
Questions or media inquiries can be directed to:
Eric Matzen
Battalion Chief/Lieutenant – Operations
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety
500 City Center Drive, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
(707) 588-3540 (voicemail)
(707) 753-1770 (cell)
[email protected]
