Repeat DUI Offender Arrested for Felony DUI and Hit and Run
Petaluma Blvd North at Washington Street
On Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 6:15pm, Petaluma Police Department 911 Dispatchers received reports of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at Petaluma Blvd North and Washington Street. As police and fire units were responding, a witness to the collision was following the suspect. The witness called 911 and helped dispatchers guide a DUI officer in to stop the gold Ford Windstar van at Lakeville Street and D Street. The driver, later identified as Timothy Kemp, age 50, from Petaluma, told the officer he was trying to get back to the scene of the collision. When confronted with the fact that he passed two streets that would have brought him back to the collision, he could not explain his actions. The officer noticed he had been drinking and found a twelve pack of Budweiser beer cans with one can open and beer in a mug. He also had two bottles of vodka in the vehicle with him. A subsequent DUI investigation lead to his arrest and his blood alcohol level was .14%. Officers also learned he had a prior conviction for DUI in April of 2012 and he was currently on active DUI probation with terms not to drink and drive.
The pedestrian, Matthew Bushner, age 22, from Petaluma, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a local area hospital. Investigating officers at the scene of the collision also detected that Bushner was also under the influence of alcohol and that may have played a role in the collision.
Kemp is being charged with felony DUI causing injury, felony hit and run, and violation of DUI probation. His bail is set at $30,000. The vehicle he was driving was impounded for five days because of his prior DUI conviction. The collision remains under investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact Traffic Officer Chris Ricci at 707.778.4373 and reference report number 13-1179.
DUI remains the 4th highest cause of collisions in the City of Petaluma. Officers will be on the lookout for impaired drivers tonight and tomorrow night for the St. Patrick’s Day Holiday. Law enforcement wants to remind drivers not to drink and drive or you will be arrested and responsible for fines and penalties as high as $22,000.
The public is asked to report drunk drivers by calling 911.
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