Crime & Safety
Man Drives On SMART Tracks, Arrested For DUI: Police
The undercarriage of the man's car had parts torn away from it and he was found lying near the car, police said.
PETALUMA, CA — A 41-year-old transient was arrested late Tuesday night on suspicion of driving under the influence after he allegedly drove his vehicle 350 feet down Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit tracks with a blood-alcohol level almost seven times the legal limit, according to police.
Police said Juan Bamaca-Velasquez was found near the 400 block of Hopper Street around 9:05 p.m. Tuesday.
According to police, the undercarriage of the Nissan Altima had parts torn away from it and Bamaca-Velasquez was found lying near the car extremely intoxicated near the point of unconsciousness.
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Police said Bamaca-Velasquez had a suspended license due to prior DUIs and had served jail time in the past for repeat offenses. He was taken to Petaluma Valley Hospital for treatment and will be booked into the Sonoma County Jail once he is released.
SMART officials were contacted but rail traffic was not affected by the vehicle on the tracks.
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By Bay City News Service
Photo courtesy Petaluma Police Department
