A Rohnert Park man suffered injuries to his back and neck in an April 27 crash when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a streetlight.

The accident happened around 9 a.m. in the area of Enterprise Drive and Seed Farm drives in Rohnert Park.

John Virgin, 30, according to a RP Dept. of Public Safety report, was driving eastbound on Enterprise toward Seed Farm when his bag of fast food, which he purchased moments earlier, fell over on the right front passenger seat. As he leaned over to retrieve his bag, his 2000 Ford Expedition left the roadway and collided with the south curb line on Enterprise.

The vehicle then went over the curb, travelled uncontrollably over the sidewalk and collided with the streetlight. The report said the light was severely bent but still standing. No one witnessed the crash. Virgin declined medical treatment at the scene.
Virgin could be charged for violation of the Basic Speed Law, which states “in essence, no person shall drive a motor vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.”

This investigation remains ongoing. Public safety also reiterated the dangers of driving while distracted.

“No speed is safe when a driver is distracted and not watching the roadway,” the department said in a press release.

“We are thankful Mr. Virgin appears to have only minor injuries from the collision and that no pedestrians were on the sidewalk of Mr. Virgin’s distracted driving. “We here at the Rohnert Park Dept. of Public Safety would like to remind everyone that we collectively share the roadways in our community; and are dependent on one another to drive responsibly. We must hold one another accountable for all our safety.”