Woman Had BAC 3 Times The Legal Limit, Hit Street Sign: Police

PETALUMA, CA — A Marin County woman is accused of driving with a blood-alcohol content more than three times the legal limit Sunday in Petaluma.

Just before 3 p.m. Sunday, March 2, Karen McFall Murray, 65, of Larkspur.

Police said dispatchers received a call shortly before 3 p.m. Sunday from a concerned community member about a driver suspected of being intoxicated. The caller told dispatchers the driver was seen swerving on the road in a car with moderate front-end damage.

Officers contacted the driver, identified as Karen McFall Murray, 65, of Larkspur, and initiated field sobriety tests. McFall Murray later submitted to an evidentiary breath test, which revealed she had a BAC of .28 percent—more than three times the legal limit of .08 percent —police said.

One of the responding officers reported seeing a bent street sign at Prospect Street with plastic remnants on the ground that appeared to match McFall Murray’s car.

Police said McFall Murray later confirmed the pieces belonged to her car.

McFall Murray was booked into Sonoma County on suspicion of DUI, DUI with a BAC greater than 0.08 percent, and driving with a suspended license.

The Petaluma Police Department encouraged people to keep themselves and the community safe by planning to have a designated driver. Other options include calling a taxi, requesting a rideshare, or utilizing LumaGo — the city's on-demand shuttle that can take riders anywhere in the service area free of charge, police said.

The Petaluma Police Department thanked the community member who called this one in, "who helped protect not only those directly involved but also countless others who may have been at risk."

"We encourage everyone to report suspected drunk drivers by calling 911."