Russell Smith and Mitchell Perez ID’d as CHP Officers Injured in Santa Rosa Car Accident on Highway 101 near Fulton Road
Santa Rosa, California (February 17, 2020) – The two California Highway Patrol officers who were injured early Sunday morning in a suspected DUI crash in Santa Rosa have been identified as Russell Smith and Mitchell Perez.
The wreck happened at around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, February 16 on Highway 101 near Fulton Road.
According to the CHP, Eric Reab, 25, of Santa Rosa, was driving a 1997 Nissan Versa on southbound Highway 101 at a high rate of speed when he crashed into the rear of a CHP patrol car driven by Officer Smith.
As a result of the collision, the CHP’s car came to rest on the right shoulder while the Nissan rollover and came to a stop near the right shoulder with major damage.
Officer Smith and his passenger, Perez, were taken to Memorial Hospital with minor to moderate injuries.
Reab was arrested and booked into the Sonoma County jail on suspicion of felony drunken driving, DUI driving causing injury and a misdemeanor charge for allegedly refusing to take a field sobriety test. He was held on $100,000 bail.
The accident remains under investigation.
According to Arin Khodaverdian, the Managing Partner and CEO Alpine Law Group, a separate investigation by an experienced attorney is necessary so as clearly uncover the circumstances surrounding the collision. “An attorney will also help the victim to navigate all the legal processes in pursuit of fair compensation and justice. Car accident claims are rarely straightforward, and, regardless of the circumstances involved, liable insurance companies will often do everything possible to limit their out-of-pocket expenses by either devaluing or outright denying your claim. It is crucial, therefore, that you have an experienced attorney on your side,” said Arin.