4 in Petaluma Injured During Multi-Vehicle Collision

PETALUMA, CA -- Four people were hospitalized in the aftermath of a multi-vehicle car accident that occurred in Petaluma the morning of Jan. 12.

At 6:54 am on Thursday Jan. 12, the Petaluma Police Department received calls regarding a multiple car collision at the intersection of East Washington St. and North McDowell Blvd. Officers and members of the Petaluma Fire Department arrived on scene and found four vehicles involved.

Several people involved had to be extricated by the fire department; three of those people were taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, while one was taken to Petaluma Valley Hospital.

One of the vehicles involved was a black Ford Mustang which was traveling northbound on South McDowell Blvd. driven by 21-year-old Petaluma resident Jose Ochoa. According to Ochoa, he was approaching a red signal on South McDowell Boulevard when the accelerator of his car stuck and he was unable to stop.

He drove through the red signal and collided with a black Honda Accord and white Dodge van which were both traveling westbound on East Washington St. on a green traffic signal. The Honda was pushed into the Dodge disabling both vehicles. The Mustang continued through the intersection and collided with a yellow Chevrolet pickup which was stopped in a southbound lane at a red signal on North McDowell Boulevard.

Police say Ochoa did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol and performed a preliminary alcohol test and which showed he had no alcohol in his system. However, police also learned that Ochoa was driving without a driver’s license.

His Mustang was towed to the Petaluma Police Department, and is expected to be examined to determine if there was in fact a problem with the accelerator.

The female driver of the Honda Accord sustained a broken jaw due to the collision, but police say none of the involved parties’ sustained life threatening injuries, with most suffering bruises and pain.

The collision is being investigated by the Petaluma Police Department's Traffic Unit.

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