[11-06-2024] Sonoma County, CA – Woman Injured After Drunk Driver Crashes into Parked Cars Near Santa Rosa Soccer Facility

A woman sustained minor injuries after a drunk driver crashed into four parked cars near a youth soccer facility in Santa Rosa on Wednesday afternoon, November 6, 2024.

According to the Santa Rosa Police Department, officers were dispatched around 4:45 p.m. to A Place to Play community park on the 2300 block of West Third Street. 

Witnesses reported a gray Lexus sedan driving recklessly in the north parking lot before losing control and crashing into four parked vehicles occupied by parents waiting for their children. The injured woman was treated at the scene for minor head and shoulder injuries by medical personnel.

At the time of the incident, around 200 people were at the park. The driver, identified as 19-year-old Angel U. of Santa Rosa, attempted to flee the scene on foot but was detained by bystanders until officers arrived and took the man into custody.

Traffic Division investigators revealed that the driver’s vehicle initially collided with a Chevrolet Tahoe, which caused a chain reaction involving a GMC Sierra and two other parked cars. The driver, who has a prior DUI conviction and is currently on probation and pre-trial supervision for a recent DUI charge, was reportedly intoxicated and prohibited from consuming alcohol.

The driver was booked into Sonoma County Jail on multiple charges, including DUI causing injury, hit-and-run causing injury, providing false identification to an officer, and driving with a suspended license due to a previous DUI. The severity of the incident led to a bail enhancement of $500,000, approved by a Sonoma County Superior Court Judge.

The investigation is ongoing.