Incident Summary
On March 22, 2024, at approximately 2058 hours, a Petaluma Police Department officer observed a vehicle speeding, making unsafe, and abrupt lane changes through congested traffic.
A traffic stop was initiated. Upon contact with the driver, Miguel Angel Fernandez-Hernandez (age 50, Petaluma resident) provided a false name to the officer. The officer was aware Fernandez-Hernandez had provided a false name because the same officer had previously arrested Fernandez-Hernandez twice for DUI and recognized him from those prior contacts.
Fernandez-Hernandez, who is on two counts of DUI probation, exhibited objective signs of alcohol intoxication and displayed impairment on Field Sobriety Tests. Fernandez-Hernandez was placed under arrest for the following charges:
- DUI with a felony enhancement due to multiple prior DUI convictions
- Violation of probation
- Falsely identifying to a police officer
- Driving on a suspended license.
A bail enhancement was sought due to the risks posed to the community by Fernandez-Hernandez continuing his behavior, and he is being held at the Sonoma County Jail on $500,000 bail.
Media inquiries maybe directed to Lieutenant Matthew Parnow at
[email protected] or phone 707-778-4372.
PPD Case 24-1251
