Rain Keeps Petaluma Police Busy Friday

Petaluma police responded to three serious traffic collisions on Friday, all believed to have been caused by the heavy rain and limited visibility. 

At 2:05pm, traffic officers responded to the 2100 block of Petaluma Blvd North. Upon arrival officers found Petaluma resident Jorge Milan, 61, collided with a business sign erected on large posts inside a planter box. According to police, Milan struck one parked car that then crashed into and through a wooden fence, then collided with three more parked vehicles.

Officers determined the driver was under the influence of prescription medication and marijuana and he was charged with a DUI. He was not injured in the collision. 

Then at 3:23pm, traffic officers were dispatched to a solo vehicle collision on North McDowell Blvd near the railroad grade crossing. Upon arrival, officers found a car that had collided into a tree in the middle of the roadway. Nicholas Llamas, 20, from Petaluma, was driving northbound when he attempted to pass another vehicle over the railroad grade crossing.

He lost control and collided into a tree in the middle of the roadway. The collision blocked both northbound lanes and caused an oil spill that had to be cleaned up before the roadway was reopened. The driver sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a local area hospital for treatment. As a result northbound North McDowell was shut down until 5pm. 

At 6:06pm, patrol officers were dispatched to South McDowell Blvd in front of Safeway where a 17-year-old driver struck a pedestrian, causing him to fly over the top of the vehicle and sustain serious injuries. The car was driven by Todd Schwenn, who according to police, had received his drivers' license just two weeks earlier.  

Meanwhile, the victim was taken to a local hospital where he remains in serious, but stable condition. Investigators are asking for anyone who witnessed the collision and have not yet spoken to police, to contact Officer Walt Spiller at 707-776-3720 (reference report number 12-000302) 

Police are reminding all drivers to turn on headlights during rain, slow down and pay extra attention due to reduced visibility.