Driver Injured, Mark Penoli Arrested in Vehicle Crash on Mountain Hawk Drive [Santa Rosa, CA]

Santa Rosa, CA (October 31, 2021) – On Saturday, a driver suffered injuries and police arrested 56-year-old Mark Penoli in a vehicle crash on Mountain Hawk Drive.

The incident took place about 6:30 p.m when officers saw Penoli erratically driving a 1997 Jeep Cherokee.

The authorities tried to pull Penoli over for speeding. However, the driver continued driving and the officers followed him from Montgomery Drive to Farmers Lane. 

Then, Penoli drove to Yulupa Avenue and then to Bennett Valley Road.

The chase reached Bennett Valley Road to Warm Springs Road, then westbound Sonoma Highway, and went back toward city limits.

Moreover, the authorities were preparing to set up spike strips to stop Penoli’s vehicle.

That is when his Jeep missed a red light on Sonoma Highway and struck another driver turning left onto Mountain Hawk Drive.  

Penoli’s Jeep flipped onto its roof and slid over 200 yards. 

The driver of the vehicle Penoli struck wasn’t seriously injured and was treated at the crash scene.

Later on, officers took Penoli to a hospital with minor injuries. Then, they arrested and booked him into jail on suspicion of felony evasion causing injury, and felony evasion with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.

When driving, better to scan the road 1/2 mile to a full mile ahead in order to look out or recognize potential hazards in time. Our bodies weren’t designed to travel at 50mph. We were designed for speeds of less than 10mph. Thus, you need to learn to consciously break that natural instinct and focus farther ahead.

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What Do We Need To Do if Involved in Vehicle Crash?

Moreover, driving is essential for many in order to move about in their lives, however, it is one of the most dangerous activities we do every day. As often these accidents happen, many people do not know what follows in the event of a car accident.

Furthermore, according to the United States Department of Transportation, there are approximately 300,000 merging accidents every year.

So, in case of accidents like this one, it is crucial that everyone remain calm in order to properly handle the immediate aftermath of an automobile collision.

Also, here are some of the things that we can do to practice defensive driving:

– Always drive at a controllable speed.

– Never assume you know the other driver’s intention.

– Also, be prepared to positively react to other drivers.

– This one, we should never neglect: yield at intersections, even if you have right of way.

– Most importantly, stay focused on the road. Remove all distractions such as mobile phones unstrapped toddlers, etc.

Immediately call our attorneys at Sweet Lawyers if you were injured in an accident.

Our hotline is (800) 674 7852. Similarly, you may also check our website and chat with our live agents.