A man residing in Petaluma, identified as Charles Piezzi, 58 years old, is facing charges after driving under the influence of alcohol last Sunday, crashing into several cars and subsequently entering a residence in an attempt to escape arrest.
The incident occurred around 5:50 p.m., when the Petaluma Police and Fire Departments received a call about a hit-and-run collision at the intersection of Lakeville Highway and South McDowell Boulevard. According to reports, the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) driven by Charles Piezzi rear-ended a car, triggering a chain collision involving a total of four vehicles.
The collision left two people injured, as reported by the police. A woman was transported by ambulance to Petaluma Valley Hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries, while a 12-year-old boy was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
After the crash, Piezzi drove his vehicle onto a curb and parked it in a nearby parking lot, then fled on foot into a neighboring area, according to Petaluma Police Lieutenant Garrett Glaviano.
"Thanks to alert witnesses, Piezzi was tracked down to the backyard of a house in the 1500 block of Rio Nido Way, where he was contacted by the officers," stated Glaviano.
Supposedly, Piezzi disobeyed the officers' orders to surrender and entered through the unlocked backdoor of the residence in an attempt to escape the agents.
"At some point during the encounter, Piezzi jumped over the rear fence and entered another nearby yard in an apparent effort to evade the officers," Glaviano added.
The officers pursued and apprehended Piezzi without further incidents.
"At the time of contact, Piezzi exhibited objective signs of alcohol intoxication," declared Glaviano.
A background check revealed that Piezzi was on parole for a previous arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol and that his driver's license was suspended. The police also claimed that Piezzi had switched the license plates with those of another vehicle he owned.
According to the police, a chemical test revealed that Piezzi's blood alcohol content was 0.17 percent, more than double the legal limit.
Piezzi was booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol with injuries, driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content over 0.08 percent, hit-and-run of a serious injury collision, residential burglary (for entering an occupied dwelling in the commission of a crime), resisting/obstructing peace officers, driving with a suspended license for driving under the influence of alcohol, displaying false license plates, and probation violation for driving under the influence of alcohol.
He remained in custody on Monday with bail set at $200,000.
Originally posted at Abogados de Accidentes
