Case # 24-0551
Sebastopol Police Department – Case# 25-0551
Content Warning: The following video contains strong language and footage involving police activity that some may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.
On July 24, 2024, at approximately 4:49 PM, Sebastopol PD received a 911 call from a community member advising that a possible intoxicated driver was southbound on Gravenstein Highway North near Lucky Supermarket, 776 Gravenstein Highway North (SR-116). The caller advised the vehicle was “almost hitting people” and was “swerving all over the road.”
The caller, who had been following the vehicle since Forestville, had passed the vehicle but told dispatch the vehicle was still swerving behind him, was “all over the road” and was “coming up behind [the caller] fast.” The caller stated other drivers were honking at the vehicle also.
The caller described the vehicle as a black Chevy or Ford truck. He did not have a license plate for the vehicle. The caller provided a description of the male driver, stating the driver was bald and had tattoos. The caller continued to provide dispatch with location updates, as the vehicle continued southbound toward downtown Sebastopol, eventually stopping at a red light at the intersection of North Main Street (SR-116) and Sebastopol Avenue.
Dispatch relayed the above information to an on-duty Sebastopol Police Office, who was in full police uniform and was driving a marked Sebastopol Police Department vehicle. The Officer arrived in the area at approximately 4:51 PM and located the vehicle as described. The Officer initiated a traffic stop of the truck in the area of South Main Street and Willow Street, but the vehicle did not yield.
The traffic stop and subsequent incident are depicted in the Body Worn Camera footage available below. A copy of the police report and the 911 call from the incident are also available below.
A minor appears in this footage. The minor’s name and face have been redacted for privacy purposes. In addition, the footage includes interactions at a hospital. In order to protect the privacy of patients and employees at the hospital, all faces have been blurred but audio is still available.
Any questions or comments may be directed to Police Chief Sean McDonagh at smcdonagh@cityofsebastopol.gov; or to Lieutenant Andrew Bauer at: abauer@cityofsebastopol.gov