DUI Collision Causes Large Power Outage in Northwest Santa Rosa on Tuesday

On November 4, 2025, at approximately 12:19 p.m., the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) Communications Center received numerous 911 calls regarding a solo vehicle collision on Piner Road just east of Marlow Road. The witnesses advised dispatchers that a white Tesla had collided with a PG&E power pole near 1940 Piner Road, causing power lines to fall to the ground. The callers had also reported seeing the driver, identified later as Anthony Turnbull, a 46-year-old resident of Santa Rosa, walk away from the scene of the collision after throwing what they believed to be a bottle of alcohol into a nearby grassy area.  

An SRPD patrol officer located Turnbull on the west sidewalk of Marlow Road, not far from the collision scene. The officer later located an almost-empty bottle of Fireball whisky in the area identified by onlookers and, during his investigation, determined that the bottle had belonged to Turnbull.  

More than a dozen SRPD personnel responded to the scene to conduct the collision investigation and traffic control. Numerous Santa Rosa Fire Department (SRFD) personnel were also required at the scene. PG&E personnel arrived at the scene within approximately 15 minutes of the collision to begin the extensive repairs to the power pole and lines. The collision caused an extensive power outage, initially affecting over 6,000 customers, or approximately 15,000 to 20,000 area residents.  

PG&E was able to restore power to all but approximately 300 customers by 1:05 p.m. SRPD personnel and Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) remained at the scene to conduct traffic control until relieved by additional PG&E personnel at approximately 2:40 p.m. All lanes of Piner Road between Bay Village Circle and Marlow Road remained fully closed well into the evening for the necessary repairs to be completed.  

An SRPD Motor Officer conducted a DUI investigation and determined that Turnbull had been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision. It was also determined that Turnbull’s blood alcohol content was higher than the legal limit of 0.08%. 25-11981 

Turnbull, who had a prior conviction for DUI in 2021, was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Jail for the following offenses: 

23152(a) CVC – Felony driving under the influence 

23152(b) CVC – Felony driving under the influence with a BAC over 0.08% 

Santa Rosa Police Department case number 25-11981. 

Media inquiries can be made to Sgt. Patricia Seffens, Public Information Officer, at 707-543-3634 or pseffens@srcity.org.