Santa Rosa motorcyclist injured in hit-and-run collision dies

A Santa Rosa man died early Tuesday — after he was removed from life support — two weeks after he was critically injured in a hit-and-run collision while riding his motorcycle.

Hundreds of friends and family gathered Monday evening outside Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where Vance Stammer had been since the Sept. 6 collision on Fountaingrove Parkway.

The crowd, family members said, was indicative of how well-known and loved Stammer was in the community.

“What a tragedy. A loss of a 23-year-old young man who had his whole life ahead,” his grandmother, Peggy Jacobson, 68, said as attendees participated in a prayer Monday night.

Funeral services and a celebration of life are pending, said Stammer’s father, Jeff, who described his son as a “sweet young man.”

His mother, Kerry Arrowood Hoyal, said she will miss texting her son “goodnight” every night.

“People teased me, but I’m so glad I never stopped,” she said.

Loved ones emphasized that Vance Stammer, a Maria Carrillo High School graduate, enjoyed cars and always identified the Hot Wheels he got as a child, his father said.

He was the oldest of three siblings. He liked hamburgers and malts. He ran an auto wrap business, enjoyed poker and was a self-taught guitar player who was trying to master his mother’s favorite song.

A loved one had fond memories of a young Vance playing pirate with his younger brother and also, at age 7 or 8, cracking a code to unlock an Xbox so he could play the “Need for Speed” racing game instead of doing chores.

Vance Stammer was described as ambitious and independent, with a good sense of humor and a stubborn streak.

His 12-year-old sister referred to him as “poophead” and family members say he embraced the nickname.

Over time, he developed relationships across Sonoma County.

On Monday, attendees filled the lawn outside the hospital on Montgomery Drive. At one point, they filtered into the parking lot and regular hospital visitors had to maneuver around them.

“So many people wanted to show support,” Jeff Stammer said of Monday’s turnout.

Sonoma County Assistant District Attorney Brian Staebell said officials are investigating whether additional charges may be filed in the case against the suspected hit-and-run driver, Charles Bernhardy, 37.

As of Tuesday, he'd previously been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and hit-and-run causing injury or death, both felonies. The DUI count includes an enhancement related to the incident causing great bodily injury, brain injury or paralysis.

The collision happened just before 9 p.m. Sept. 6 on Fountaingrove Parkway.

Jacobson said her grandson was on his way home following an evening with his family. “He was so happy,” she said.

Bernhardy was heading west on Fountaingrove when he hit Stammer’s motorcycle from behind just east of Sedgemoore Drive, according to the Santa Rosa Police Department.

Stammer fell off the bike, which got lodged under Bernhardy’s Chevrolet Silverado, police Sgt. Chris Mahurin said the day after the collision.

Authorities believe Bernhardy continued driving and struck a Honda Accord as its driver turned right onto Sedgemoore. The Honda sustained minor damage, Mahurin said.

The TM Racing 450 FI motorcycle dislodged from beneath the pickup and came to rest in a center median near the entrance to Nagasawa Park, nearly 2 miles from the site where Stammer was hit, he added.

Authorities believe Bernhardy stopped at Mendocino Avenue and then ran from the scene. He was later taken into custody at his Santa Rosa home.

Bernhardy is scheduled to appear for a plea hearing Thursday morning in Sonoma County Superior Court. He remains in custody at the Sonoma County jail in lieu of $750,000 bail.

“We need to realize and understand the seriousness of drinking and getting into a vehicle. This just changed lives and took my baby boy,” Arrowood Hoyal said.

Staff Writer Matt Pera contributed to this article.

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