Police ID hit-and-run driver who struck woman on Santa Rosa sidewalk

A 51-year-old Santa Rosa driver suspected of hitting a pedestrian when he veered off the road and onto a sidewalk near Coddingtown Mall, then fleeing the scene, was in custody Monday morning, police officials said.

Thong Thavong was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail at the Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and drunken driving, Sgt. Mike Numainville said.

The pedestrian, a 55-year-old woman visiting Sonoma County, suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized, Numainville said. Her condition and name weren’t available Monday.

The woman was walking down a Cleveland Avenue sidewalk with her sister at about 6:35 p.m. Sunday when she was hit, Numainville said.

The driver, later identified as Thavong, was behind the wheel of an older-model Dodge Sportsman recreational vehicle when he veered off the road, striking a fire hydrant and crosswalk sign near the intersection with Terry Lane and then crashing into the woman, police said.

Thavong then maneuvered back onto Cleveland Avenue and drove away, but was followed by other motorists who helped police find him in a Coddingtown parking lot, Numainville said.

Police closed the intersection of Cleveland Avenue and Terry Lane until about 4 a.m. Monday during the investigation.

Anyone with information about the collision can call Officer Tim Wilhelm at 543-3636.

You can reach Staff Writer Julie Johnson at 521-5220 or julie.johnson@pressdemocrat.com.