CHP: Healdsburg man arrested in felony hit and run, DUI

A Healdsburg man suspected of being under the influence of drugs was arrested on suspicion felony hit and run Tuesday night after he sideswiped a woman driving west on Alexander Valley Road, the CHP said Wednesday.

The woman suffered moderate injuries but declined to go to the hospital, Officer David deRutte said.

Daniel Trippel, 39, who was driving a white Chevrolet work truck around 8:40 p.m., was booked at Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of felony DUI involving drugs and causing injruy, felony hit-and-run causing injury, possession of drugs, being under the influence of a controlled substance, being an addict driving a vehicle and driving on a suspended license, deRutte said.

The collision occurred when Trippel, who was driving east on Alexander Valley Road toward State Route 128, crossed into the opposing lane. The woman tried to avoid the car, which sideswiped the Toyota Rav4 she was driving, deRutte said. Trippel continued east and ran two more vehicles off the road, but did not hit them.

Passersby stopped to help the driver and pointed an arriving CHP officer in Trippel’s direction. The officer found the truck on Alexander Valley near Lone Pine Road. The truck had run off the road and crashed in a metal guardrail and Trippel was passed out in the driver’s seat. He was intoxicated on drugs but uninjured, deRutte said.

You can reach Staff Writer Kathleen Coates at kathleen.coates@pressdemocrat.com.