Murder Conviction for 2022 DUI Collision
On Tuesday September 6^th, 2022, at approximately 9:30pm, Santa Rosa Police Officers responded to a hit and run collision near the intersection of Fountaingrove Pkwy and Sedgemoore Drive. Upon arriving on scene, officers located a severely injured male and a motorcycle at this location. The male, later identified as Vance Stammer 23-years old, was immediately transported to a local hospital with critical injuries. Victim Stammer was placed on life support but was taken off several weeks later.

The investigation revealed that Stammer was riding his motorcycle westbound on Fountaingrove Pkwy just east of the intersection of Sedgemoore Dr when a Chevrolet pickup up truck who was also driving westbound on Fountaingrove Pkwy, rear ended Stammer throwing him from the motorcycle and knocking his helmet off. The Chevrolet continued westbound on Fountaingrove Pkwy and rear ended a red Honda as the Honda turned northbound (right) onto Sedgemoore Dr. 

The Chevrolet continued westbound on Fountaingrove Pkwy without stopping to exchange required information. The Chevrolet apparently became disabled west of the intersection of Fountaingrove Pkwy and Mendocino Av in the westbound lane of the Mendocino Av Highway 101 overcrossing. The driver of the Chevrolet fled from the vehicle and was not located by responding officers initially.

Accident Investigator, John Fisher, took the lead on the investigation, assisted by other investigators and Evidence Technicians.

Investigators worked tirelessly to identify the driver of the Chevrolet. He was later identified as Charles Allen Bernhardy. The investigators developed probable cause to believe that Bernhardy was under the influence of alcohol and possibly drugs at the time of the collision. Investigators use statements from Bernhardy and witnesses that tied him to the collision and confirmed he had been intoxicated and fled the scene. Bernhardy was previously investigated for DUI in another unrelated investigation.

Yesterday, March 13^th, 2025, after multiple weeks of trial, a jury of his peers found Bernhardy guilty of 2^nd Degree Murder (187 PC) for the murder of Vance Stammer. Additionally, he was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated (191.5 PC) with the enhancement of personally inflicting GBI resulting in comatose brain injury, DUI Alcohol causing injury (23153(a) VC), hit and run causing death (20001(b)(2) VC), and misdemeanor hit and run (20002(a) VC). He was found not guilty of DUI Drugs causing injury (23153(f) VC).

This was a very difficult and emotional investigation for everyone involved. The Santa Rosa Police Department Accident Investigators, led by Investigator Fisher, worked very hard to bring justice for Vance Stammer and his family.

The Santa Rosa police department Accident Investigation Team not only respond to collisions but are out patrolling the streets every night looking for impaired drivers, with the hopes of preventing another tragedy like this one.