Police Searching for Hit and Run Suspects

Rohnert Park Police Search for Two Hit-and-Run Drivers 

The Rohnert Park Police Department is asking for the public’s help locating two drivers who left the scene after hitting and injuring two children riding bikes on the same road on Wednesday, October 5, 2022. Both juvenile bicyclists sustained minor injuries and were treated at the accident scenes. Witnesses said both drivers initially stopped but left the site before emergency responders arrived.

The First Accident

The first accident happened at 7:40 a.m. near Snyder Lane at the Copeland Creek Trail crossing. Witnesses said a woman driver of a purple or light blue sedan struck the bicyclist crossing the road. The driver was told to remain at the scene, but she took off south on Snyder Lane. The woman was described as Asian with black and gray shoulder-length hair.

The Second Accident

The second accident occurred 25 minutes later on Snyder Lane when a female driver pulled out of a parking lot at Lawrence E. Jones Middle School and hit a minor riding a bicycle across the road. Witnesses said the driver stopped to check on the injured child but left the scene without identifying herself. The driver was in a red car with California license plate number 7YPM635.

Police Are Investigating the Two Accidents

Investigators said drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in both accidents. Police urge anyone with information about these two hit-and-run accidents to contact the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety at (707) 584-2600.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

Data shows a bicyclist faces numerous risks on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 846 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes in 2019 across the U.S. In California, there were 198 bicyclist injuries and deaths.

Negligence is the Leading Cause of Bicycle Accidents 

When a collision between a vehicle and a bicycle occurs, the cyclist is most likely to suffer severe injuries. Some common negligent behaviors displayed by drivers can lead to injuries or fatalities, including:

• Speeding: Drivers often cause crashes with bicyclists due to speeding. The higher the speed, the greater the risk of injuries or deaths.
• Distracted driving: Many accidents are caused by distracted drivers, such as texting and driving. Other distractions include eating, talking to passengers, and switching radio stations.
• Impaired driving: Drugs and alcohol contribute to many traffic accidents. A cyclist may suffer devastating injuries due to the driver’s lack of judgment, impaired vision, or poor reflexes.
• Fatigued driving: Sleep-deprived drivers can easily cause an accident with bikers. Working late night shifts, lack of sleep, or suffering from a medical condition like sleep apnea can lead to fatigue.

Tips to Stay Safe on the Road While Riding a Bicycle

To avoid traffic collisions with drivers, bicyclists must be alert and focused on the road. These crucial safety tips below explain what cyclists must do to avoid a potential accident with a motor vehicle:

• Don’t listen to music or text while riding on the road.
• Obey all street signs, signals, and road markings.
• Ride in the same direction as the flow of traffic.
• Look ahead for any potentially dangerous situations that can cause a crash.
• Never assume the driver can see you.

Watch YouTube Video: Bicycle Safer Journey. The video from the Federal Highway Administration discusses some safety tips for bicyclists.