Motorcyclist Critically Injured In Pursuit With Petaluma Police

PETALUMA, CA — Petaluma police have provided more details about the police activity Thursday night on Caulfield Lane near Ely Boulevard South.

A motorcyclist led officers on a pursuit that ended when the motorcyclist lost control of his bike and landed in a front yard on Caulfield Lane and suffered potentially life-threatening injuries, Petaluma police Lt. Ron Klein said in a news release Friday morning.

Officers were looking for the motorcyclist, a 42-year-old Santa Rosa man, in connection with a disturbance involving a gun at the Park and Ride at 1070 Lakeville Highway, Klein said.

Officers spotted the motorcyclist at 7:25 p.m. near St. Francis Drive and Santa Ines Way but when they tried to stop him, he did not yield, Klein said.

A pursuit ensued from St. Francis Road onto eastbound Caulfield Lane at speeds between 35 mph and 55 mph, the lieutenant said.

"The motorcyclist lost control of the motorcycle in the 1700 block of Caulfield Ln. and collided with objects in a front yard," Klein said. "The motorcyclist was immediately rendered aid by Petaluma Police Department officers and ultimately transported by the Petaluma Fire Department to a local hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries."

Around 8:20 p.m. Thursday, the Petaluma Police Department shut down Caulfield Lane near Ely Boulevard South and issued a Nixle alert advising the public to avoid the area because of police activity.

Because of the severity of injuries suffered by the motorcyclist, the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Employee-Involved Fatal Incident Protocol was invoked and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office was assigned as the primary investigating agency, with assistance from the California Highway Patrol.

The motorcyclist's name was disclosed Friday by Petaluma police, who referred questions about the investigation to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.

Patch will update this post should more information become available from the sheriff's office.