Early today, a Petaluma man was nabbed for driving under the influence after smashing his vehicle into a curb outside the Gateway Shopping Center, Petaluma Police report. The officers on patrol came upon the scene just before 2 am, discovering vehicle debris and a damaged city street sign on East D and Copeland Street, before stumbling upon the crashed vehicle and its sole, inebriated occupant on Lakeville Street.
Identified as Bernabe Zuniga-Jaramillo, 44, the driver exhibited clear signs of drunkenness, prompting police to initiate a DUI investigation. The investigation concluded with Zuniga-Jaramillo's arrest after officers determined he was indeed intoxicated while operating the vehicle. He was later booked into the Sonoma County Jail on DUI charges, according to the Petaluma Police Department.
The incident lays bare yet another case of drunk driving in the city. Zuniga-Jaramillo, who was caught behind the wheel with a suspended license stemming from a prior DUI offense, now faces the serious consequences of his actions which include the possibility of hefty fines that can exceed $13,000, along with a suspended license, advising drivers in the statement obtained by the official report.
Emphasizing their commitment to curbing alcohol-related incidents on the road, the Petaluma Police Department cautions motorists regarding the severe implications of impaired driving. They strongly recommend utilizing a sober designated driver or a ride-share service if consuming alcohol. Lieutenant Matt Parnow can be contacted for further media inquiries at [email protected] or 707-778-4372.
