Ron Jones arrested in Petaluma Pedestrian Accident
The incident occurred near St. Vincent de Paul Elementary school when a vehicle struck a 10-year-old boy in a marked crosswalk.
A 10-year-old boy was hit by a car and suffered minor injuries Thursday afternoon in Petaluma, police said. The driver, Ron Jones, 63, of Petaluma, fled the scene but was later arrested.
The crash happened at 4:12 p.m. at the corner of Howard and Washington streets, according to the Petaluma Police Department. The boy was walking in a marked crosswalk when the car struck him.
Firefighters took the boy to a hospital for treatment. He is expected to recover from his injuries.
Police said officers found Jones at his home and observed signs of alcohol intoxication. He was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and hit-and-run with injury.
The department thanked witnesses who stayed at the scene to help. The crash remains under investigation.
The Petaluma Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities will examine all evidence to determine the full extent of liability.
Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "Separate from criminal charges, a victim's family may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party. In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and text records of the liable party. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights while ensuring that a drunk driver is held accountable for their reckless actions."
California personal injury framework
California follows a pure comparative fault system. Injured parties may recover damages reduced by their percentage of fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of the incident.
Damages include economic losses (medical bills, lost income, rehabilitation) and non-economic losses (pain, suffering, emotional distress).