Petaluma, CA – A Larkspur woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) with a suspended license after officers observed her swerving behind the wheel of a damaged vehicle, authorities said. The incident occurred on Sunday, March 2, in Petaluma.
According to the Petaluma Police Department, a call came in around 3 p.m. reporting a car swerving along the roadway. Witnesses described the vehicle as having “moderate front-end vehicle damage.” Responding officers soon located the car and conducted a traffic stop in the area of Kent and Walnut streets.
Upon stopping the vehicle, police began a field sobriety test on the driver, later identified as 65-year-old Karen McFall Murray of Larkspur. While the test was underway, another officer spotted a bent street sign at the intersection of Prospect and Walnut streets, alongside plastic remnants on the ground. Authorities later confirmed that the remnants appeared to match McFall Murray’s vehicle, a detail she herself acknowledged.
Records from the Sonoma County courts revealed that this was McFall Murray’s fourth DUI offense, leading to enhanced felony charges. Her repeated offenses led to her license being suspended, and this latest incident underscores the heightened danger posed by driving under the influence.
In response to the arrest, the Petaluma Police Department reminded the public to plan ahead and make safe arrangements if they plan to drink. Authorities emphasized that driving under the influence is entirely preventable and urged the community to take necessary precautions to ensure everyone’s safety on the road.