Driver suspected of DUI following collision with Santa Rosa detective

The suspect was identified as a Santa Rosa man. The detective suffered minor injuries in the collision at Fourth and E streets.|
COLIN ATAGI
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

A Santa Rosa man is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol after he collided with a detective who was on his way home Wednesday night, police said.

Peter Rochelle, 56, was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI following the collision near E and Fourth streets, Santa Rosa police Sgt. Chris Mahurin said.

Around 7 p.m., the detective was heading west on Fourth Street and was turning south onto E Street when he was hit by a northbound Nissan Titan, police said.

Mahurin added that the detective had a green light and the suspect ran a red light while traveling 40 to 45 mph.

The detective was evaluated at the scene for minor injuries and was not taken to a hospital. His city-issued SUV sustained heavy damage.

Investigators performed sobriety tests and verified Rochelle was under the influence of alcohol, Mahurin said.

You can reach Staff Writer Colin Atagi at colin.atagi@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @colin_atagi

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.
Send a letter to the editor