A Petaluma man with a prior drunk driving conviction was arrested this evening after he allegedly struck a pedestrian while driving under the influence and then fled the scene, according to police.
The pedestrian, 22-year-old Petaluma resident Matthew Bushner, was struck around 6:15 p.m. at Petaluma Boulevard North and Washington Street, according to police. A witness who called in the accident followed the suspect and helped guide police to a gold ford Windstar van, which was pulled over at Lakeville and D streets. The driver, Timothy Kemp, 50, initially told officers he was attempting to drive back to the scene of the crash, but could not explain why he had failed to take turns that could have taken him in that direction, police said.
Officers found a twelve pack of Budweiser beer cans in the car, with one can open and beer in a mug, as well as two bottles of vodka, police said. A test found his blood alcohol level to be at .14. Kemp also has a prior DUI conviction from April of 2012 and is currently on probation which requires him to not drink and drive, police said.
Bushner sustained moderate injuries and was taken to a local hospital. Police said Bushner might also have been intoxicated, and that could have played a role in the collision. Kemp was arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving causing injury, felony hit and run and violation of his DUI probation. Bail was set at $30,000 and his vehicle was impounded for five days. The collision remains under investigation, police said.
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