Rohnert Park Driver Flips Car, Hits Tree In Possible DUI: Police

ROHNERT PARK, CA — A 22-year-old driver suffered significant head injuries after he lost control of his car and it hit a tree and then flipped early Saturday in Rohnert Park, police said. Jackson Betheil, a resident of Rohnert Park, was driving a Subaru wagon at high speeds southbound on Camino Colegio Drive at Magnolia Avenue about 12:40 a.m. Saturday, according to the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety.

Police said Betheil apparently lost control and the vehicle went onto the center island, ramming a tree on the front driver's side. The impact caused the Subaru to flip onto its roof and come to rest in the northbound lanes, police said.

It appeared Betheil was not wearing a seatbelt and he was thrown into the passenger-side window.

Betheil remained hospitalized Monday at Santa Rosa Memorial hospital for undisclosed injuries per the emergency room staff, Rohnert Park DPS Deputy Chief Aaron Johnson said.

There were signs Betheil may have been under the influence at the time of the collision and an investigation is underway, according to police.

"Officers suspected impairment in this collision and subsequently were able to get a search warrant for Betheil's blood," Johnson said. "Although the results were unavailable pending analysis, initial investigation into this collision suggests he had consumed alcohol prior to the collision."

Johnson said members of the Rohnert Park DPS "are thankful Betheil has started the recovery process in this potentially lethal crash."

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety at 707-584-2600.

— Bay City News Service and Patch local editor Maggie Avants