Issued By:
Community Engagement Liaison Kelsey McCarthy Petaluma PD, (707) 364-6086 [email protected]
Incident:
DUI Suspect Arrested Following Slow-Speed Pursuit
On October 18, 2026, at approximately 8:34 p.m., Petaluma Police Department officers responded to a report of a hit-and-run collision in the area of Garfield Drive.
Officers located the suspected vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver, later identified as Joel Martinez Manuel (31, Petaluma) failed to yield to officers, resulting in a slow-speed pursuit through Petaluma. The pursuit ultimately ended on South McDowell Boulevard, where Martinez Manuel yielded to officers and was taken into custody.
Following the investigation, Martinez Manuel was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (23152 VC) and evading a peace officer (2800 VC). Martinez Manuel was subsequently transported and booked into the Sonoma County Jail.
The Petaluma Police Department reminds drivers that operating a vehicle while impaired puts everyone on the road at risk. Help keep our community safe by designating a sober driver or utilizing a rideshare if you consume alcohol. If you suspect someone is driving under the influence, please report it by calling 911.
