Rain Contributes to Multiple Auto Accidents in Petaluma

January 23, 2012 - The first major rain storm of 2012 resulted in three serious traffic collisions in and around Petaluma on Friday. At approximately 6:00 p.m., a pedestrian versus auto accident occurred when a blue Buick sedan struck a 30-year-old Petaluma man in the marked crosswalk at the intersection of McNeil Avenua and South McDowell Boulevard. The intersection is near the Washington Square Shopping Center. Immediately prior to the accident, the pedestrian was walking westbound in the crosswalk and the Buick was traveling northbound in the number one lane. The accident occurred when the driver of the Buick, a 17-year-old male from Petaluma, failed to stop for the pedestrian as he attempted to cross the street. According to police, the pedestrian struck the hood and windshield of the Buick, rolled over the top of the vehicle, and then came to rest in the roadway approximately 75 feet north of the point of impact. Police said the pedestrian sustained severe injuries and was transported via ambulance to a local hospital for emergency medical care. Reports indicate that the Buick driver had received his driver's license only two weeks prior to the accident. Police are still investigating the accident. They do not believe that alcohol was a factor. At about 2:05 p.m. on Friday, a series of crashes occurred on the 2100 block of Petaluma Boulevard North. A 61-year-old Petaluma man ran his Toyota 4Runner into a parked car which then struck a wooden fence. Police reported that the Petaluma man struck three other parked cars. The driver of the 4Runner was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of prescription medical marijuana. A short time later, at 3:25 p.m., a 20-year-old Petaluma man sustained moderate injuries when he tried to pass another vehicle on northbound North McDowell Boulevard. The driver lost control of his vehicle and collided with a tree in the center of the road. He sustained moderate injures and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment. According to investigators, heavy rain and limited visibility was a factor in all three collisions. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident, please call us for a free consultation to discuss your case. You will be connected directly to an attorney experienced in personal injury law.