Drunk Teen Runs Over Sonoma Deputy

PETALUMA, Calif. Oct.28, 2007 (BCN) -- Police said a 16-year-old boy was drunk when he slammed into a Sonoma County sheriff's deputy standing next to his car in Petaluma early this morning.

Sheriff's Deputy Brett Fairbanks attempted to pull the teen over on suspicion of driving under the influence at approximately 12:20 a.m. in the area of Adobe and Corona roads, but he reportedly failed to stop, according to Lt. Scott Dunn.

After a one-minute pursuit, Fairbanks deployed a spike strip in an attempt to disable the suspect's Toyota Highlander, Dunn said. But the suspect swerved away from the spike strip and headed directly toward Fairbanks, who was standing near his car at the intersection of Industrial Avenue and Corona Road, according to Dunn.

Fairbanks was struck at "a high rate of speed" by the sport utility vehicle and thrown several feet before the suspect's vehicle crashed into the parked patrol car, Dunn said.

The patrol car was "absolutely totaled" in the wreck, Dunn added. Fairbanks was transported to a local hospital with injuries that were serious but not considered life threatening, according to Dunn. The teen was also taken to a hospital for treatment to minor injuries, Dunn said.

Upon release from the hospital, the suspect will be booked on suspicion of felony evading of an officer and causing injury while driving drunk, according to Dunn.

Dunn said local law enforcement agencies try to prevent drivers, especially juveniles, from driving under the influence. "It's been a huge concern," Dunn said. "A lot of incidents in juveniles drinking and driving result in death or serious injury."

Two ways officers target drunk driving are establishing DUI checkpoints and hosting Every 15 Minutes programs at high schools to graphically demonstrate the effects of driving under the influence.

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