Driver Accused of Striking CA Firefighter with Car

A 30-year-old San Pablo man was arrested early Sunday in Petaluma on suspicion of intentionally striking an on-duty firefighter with a vehicle, police said.

Petaluma firefighters responded to a medical emergency at about 3 a.m. in a shopping mall parking lot on the 200 block of North McDowell Boulevard, where they were approached by a man who began asking questions, police said.

Firefighters asked the man, identified as Everal Thompson, to leave, but he went to his car and drove into a firefighter before fleeing, police said.

The firefighter was not seriously injured and gave a description of the suspect.

Thompson was later arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. A loaded handgun was found in the passenger area of his car, police said. Thompson, a convicted felon, is prohibited from owning firearms, police said.

Thompson was booked into the Sonoma County Jail.

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