Suspected DUI Driver Causes 5-Car Crash, Breaks Into Home: Petaluma PD

PETALUMA, CA — A Petaluma man is accused of driving drunk Sunday and colliding with several cars, then breaking into a home as he tried to evade arrest.

Around 5:50 p.m., personnel from the Petaluma police and fire departments were sent to Lakeville Highway at South McDowell Boulevard on a report of a hit-and-run collision. Police were told an SUV driven by Charles Piezzi, 58, of Petaluma, rear-ended one car which caused a chain-reaction collision involving four cars.

Two people were injured, police said. A woman was taken by ambulance to Petaluma Valley Hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries, while a 12-year-old child was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Following the crash, Piezzi drove his car over a curb and parked it in a nearby parking lot, then ran into a nearby neighborhood, according to Petaluma police Lt. Garrett Glaviano said.

"Thanks to alert witnesses, Piezzi was tracked to the backyard of a home in the 1500 block of Rio Nido Way where he was contacted by officers," Glaviano said.

It is alleged that Piezzi disregarded officers' commands to surrender and went into the unlocked back door of the residence in an attempt to flee from officers.

"At some point during the contact, Piezzi jumped the rear fence and entered another nearby backyard in an apparent effort to evade officers," Glaviano said.

Officers gave chase and detained Piezzi without further incident.

"Upon contact, Piezzi showed objective signs of alcohol intoxication," Glaviano said.

A records check showed Piezzi was on DUI probation from a prior arrest and his driver’s license was suspended. Police also said Piezzi switched out the license plates with another car he owned.

According to police, a chemical test revealed Piezzi's blood-alcohol content was 0.17 percent — more than twice the legal limit.

Piezzi was booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of DUI with injury, DUI with injury over .08-percent blood-alcohol content, felony Hit and Run with injury, burglary (for entering an occupied dwelling in the commission of a crime), resist/obstruct peace officers, driving while license suspended for DUI, displaying false license plates, and violation of DUI probation.

He remained in custody Monday with his bail set at $200,000.