Petaluma Police ID Driver Who Struck Man Found Dead On Roadway

PETALUMA, CA — Petaluma police have identified a driver who struck a Petaluma man who was found lying dead in a road earlier this month, police said. Chester Lyon, 59, of Petaluma, contacted his attorney two days after the collision at about 11:45 p.m. on Nov. 10. The lawyer contacted police and Lyon is cooperating with the investigation, police said.

The victim, Charles Ralph Kauffman Jr., 53, of Petaluma, got out of a 2014 Mazda Miata he was driving on North McDowell Boulevard north of Scott Street.

The car's engine was still running and the driver's door was open when police found Kauffman in the road about 20 feet away. Tire marks were found on Kauffman's body, according to police.

Police impounded Lyon's 2005 Chevrolet Corvette for evidence and are reviewing surveillance videos from businesses in the area. Vehicle parts found in the roadway were from a Chevrolet Corvette, police said.

Lyon told police he thought he struck something but did not know what it was. he was driving to a convenience store at the time, police said.

Police are trying to determine why Kauffman got out of his Mazda, and the results of his autopsy are pending.

• Man Found Dead In Petaluma Road ID'd

By Bay City News Service

Photo by Renee Schiavone/Patch