Sonoma County Sheriff's Deputy Struck In Suspected DUI

PETALUMA, CA — A Sonoma County Sheriff's deputy was injured early Monday morning in a collision on Lakeville Highway near Petaluma.

The deputy was in the process of pulling over a car just after 2 a.m. Monday on Lakeville Highway at Cannon Lane when another driver rear-ended the deputy's patrol car, the sheriff's office said.

Multiple other sheriff's deputies as well as members of the Petaluma Police Department, the California Highway Patrol Santa Rosa Area, and the Sonoma County Fire District responded to the scene.

The deputy was taken to a local hospital for treatment and was later released.

Both drivers also suffered injuries.

CHP determined the driver who hit the patrol car was driving under the influence and arrested him, the sheriff's office said.

"The driver of the Toyota Tacoma, who was arrested for felony DUI is Joel Castaneda Rodriguez, 28, out of Vallejo," CHP Officer David deRutte told Patch. "We can never release specific injuries, but the deputy's injuries were moderate."

Castaneda Rodriguez remained in custody Tuesday at Sonoma County jail with his bail set at $100,000. He is due in court Wednesday morning.

The sheriff's office said no pursuit was involved and the deputy was pulling over a compliant driver.

"Our deputies face danger every day, often from situations that appear routine," the sheriff's office said. "In the United States last year, 31 peace officers died in car accidents and 15 peace officers died after being hit by a car. We are grateful our deputy survived and wish him a full and speedy recovery."