Bakersfield Police Department
News Release
 
Driving Under the Influence Arrest Involving Off-Duty Bakersfield Police Department Officer 
 
On Tuesday morning, 6/30/09, at approximately 0009 hours, officers of the Bakersfield
Police Department responded to a reported auto accident at the intersection of Ming
Avenue and Old River Road.  When officers arrived, they determined that the driver of
one of the involved vehicles was off-duty Bakersfield Police Department Officer Thomas
Villasenor.  Thomas Villasenor had been driving his personal vehicle, A 2005 Chevy
Cobalt, northbound on Old River Road.  Upon proceeding through the intersection of
Ming Avenue, he collided with a westbound vehicle, a Dodge Charger driven by Dawn
Ratliff of Bakersfield.  When the officers arrived on scene and contacted Villasenor, they
determined that he showed symptoms of alcohol intoxication.  Upon further
investigation, it was determined that he had been driving under the influence of alcohol. 
Officer Villasenor was arrested and transported to the Kern County Jail, where he was
booked for California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) and California Vehicle Code
Section 23152(b) (driving under the influence of alcohol).  
 
Officer Villasenor has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.