Chaos on the roads of Petaluma took a familiar turn last night as a brazen repeat offender was booked once again for driving under the influence. At around 8:58 PM, a Petaluma Police Department officer spotted a vehicle wildly speeding and weaving through traffic—actions swiftly prompted a traffic stop. The driver, identified as Miguel Angel Fernandez-Hernandez, a 50-year-old local, attempted to conceal his identity from authorities, giving a false name upon the stop. But his cover was short-lived; the arresting officer had previously encountered Fernandez-Hernandez, not once, but twice before for DUI offenses, and recognized him, reported the Petaluma Police Department.

The arrest unfolded with little surprise to the involved officers. Fernandez-Hernandez, currently on probation for two prior DUI charges, displayed all the signs of intoxication. Investigators report he was visibly impaired, struggling to complete Field Sobriety Tests successfully. It was enough evidence to warrant his immediate arrest under several charges that include a DUI with a felony enhancement—a direct result of his prior convictions—and probation violations. Fernandez-Hernandez didn't make it to try and drive away this time; instead, he was taken straight to the Sonoma County Jail.

In a show of the judicial attempt to curb such habitual risks to community safety, authorities didn't hesitate to seek a bail enhancement. Fernandez-Hernandez, a danger to potentially anybody sharing the road with him, is now facing a steep $500,000 bail. The department disclosed that Lieutenant Matthew Parnow, fielding media inquiries could be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 707-778-4372 for further information regarding the incident or PPD Case 24-1251.