Driver crashes into back of garbage truck in Petaluma

A Petaluma woman crashed into the back of a garbage truck early Wednesday without braking, demolishing her car but she apparently suffered minor injuries, Petaluma police said.

Michelle Giacomini, 51, was driving south on South Ely Boulevard about 6:45 a.m. when she came upon the truck, stopped to pick up garbage. Her Lexus sedan hit the back of the truck with such force the sedan lifted up and was tossed into the northbound lane, Petaluma police Lt. Tim Lyons said.

The impact broke the truck’s two rear axels, Lyons said. Petaluma Refuse and Recycling truck driver Juan Suarez, 53, of Santa Rosa wasn’t injured.

A northbound driver stopped in time to avoid the Lexus as it landed in that lane, Lyons said.

The crash closed the intersection at Meadowview Drive for almost an hour. Petaluma police issued a warning about 6:50 a.m. for drivers to avoid the area and at 7:37 a.m. reported the route was open.

Giacomini was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and initially believed to have serious injuries. Petaluma police late Wednesday said she was treated for injuries and released.

You can reach Staff Writer Randi Rossmann at 707-521-5412 or randi.rossmann@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter@rossmannreport.