Cotati woman suspected of running over pedestrian at Wal-Mart in Rohnert Park

A Cotati woman suspected of driving while intoxicated was arrested Tuesday evening after she “ran completely over” a 55-year-old man as she pulled into a parking spot at the Wal-mart in Rohnert Park, according to police officials.

Police said the victim, whose name is being withheld, suffered life-threatening injuries but is now in stable condition at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and is expected to survive.

The woman, Susan Burke, 63, told police she was not aware that she had run over anyone. She was contacted in a parking lot next to the one where she ran over the victim, police said.

Police were notified of the incident at 7:30 p.m. When they arrived, officers found the man on the ground in the parking lot.

He had been walking in the lot near the Walmart’s garden center later when Burke pulled her 2012 Jeep Wrangler into a spot and ran over the pedestrian, police said.

Burke was arrested for felony driving under the influence of a controlled substance while causing injury and was taken to Sonoma County Jail.

Her Jeep was impounded by Rohnert Park police officers.

The arresting officer found probable cause for the arrest based on observations of Burke at the scene, said Rohnert Park Public Safety Cmdr. Aaron Johnson.

Johnson said it’s unclear what substance Burke is suspected to have taken. Police took a blood sample, but the results aren’t expected back for at least two weeks, Johnson said.