Pedestrian Struck At Rohnert Park Walmart By Alleged DUI Driver

ROHNERT PARK, CA — A woman was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in connection with a collision in a Walmart parking lot in Rohnert Park that left a pedestrian with major injuries Thursday. Kathy Jean Barella, 58, was arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving, according to the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety. Emergency crews responded Thursday at 5:55 p.m. to the incident at 4625 Redwood Drive and found a 66-year-old San Francisco man on the ground suffering from major injuries, police said.

Witnesses told police a blue 2005 Jeep Liberty backed into the man and possibly drove over him. Police said the driver of the Jeep, identified Barella, was seen inside the Walmart acting erratically prior to the incident.

Barella gave spontaneous statements to investigators admitting she had consumed alcohol prior to the collision, police said.

Officers conducted a preliminary in-field DUI investigation, and a preliminary alcohol breath test determined Barella had a .11-percent blood alcohol content level, police said.

She was taken into custody and booked into jail.

The victim was transported to the hospital and was undergoing surgery Thursday night.

By Bay City News Service

Photo credit: Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock.com