Man Accused In DUI Hit-And-Run Crash With Injuries

PETALUMA, CA — Police arrested a man suspected of DUI and hit-and-run in a crash Saturday morning in Petaluma.

Emergency personnel responded with the Petaluma police and fire departments responded shortly after 9 a.m. Saturday to reports of the crash east of Petaluma Boulevard North at West Payran Street and Graylawn Avenue.

While responding, officers were advised that one of the involved drivers had left the scene in an unknown direction. At the scene, first responders found the other involved party still seated in his car, needing medical attention.

As the patient was taken to a hospital by ambulance for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, additional officers responded and searched the area for the suspected hit-and-run driver.

Police located the suspect after witnesses alerted them to a man walking nearby who matched his description.

Sonny Ocop, 31, of Santa Rosa, was detained in connection with the crash.

"Ocop was determined to be the registered owner of the suspect vehicle and positively identified by witnesses as the driver," Petaluma police Sgt. Daniel Boyd said. "His vehicle was later located parked in a driveway of a nearby residence not belonging to Ocop."

As a result of the investigation and because he was believed to be under the influence of alcohol, Boyd said, Ocop was arrested on suspicion of DUI causing injury, hit and run causing injury and threatening an officer.