Santa Rosa Man Sent to Prison for Maximum Sentence for Murder, Driving Under Influence of Alcohol, and Hit and Run Causing Death After Fatal Fountaingrove Collision

Charles Allen Bernhardy, 39 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced earlier today by the Honorable Judge Laura Passaglia after a jury returned a guilty verdict on March 13, 2025, for the following charges: murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury within 10 years of another DUI offense, hit and run causing death or serious injury, hit and run driving resulting in property damage, and driving under the influence of any drug causing injury within 10 years of another DUI. The jury found true multiple factors in aggravation as well as enhancements. On April 10, 2025, the defendant was sentenced to the maximum possible sentence under the law for these charges, 19 years-to-life in state prison. 

District Attorney Rodriguez stated, “When most people imagine the worst outcome from their decision to drive impaired they think of a short time in jail, a fine, and loss of driving privileges. What they should be imagining is what happened to Mr. Stammer and his family. There simply is no excuse, especially in a time when there are so many other options, to get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants. This was a horrible tragedy. We thank the jury and the court for their decisions in this case and wish for peace for Mr. Stammer’s family.  

On September 6, 2022, the defendant became heavily intoxicated while at his apartment in Rincon Valley. His girlfriend became upset with him over his chronic issues with alcohol and drugs and told the defendant he needed to stop drinking, and that he has a problem with alcohol. The defendant became upset and began destroying property within their apartment. Feeling unsafe, the defendant’s girlfriend fled from the apartment with her children and called 911. The defendant left shortly after in his 1986 Chevrolet Silverado and began driving on Fountaingrove Parkway at a high rate of speed. Based on calculations taken from surveillance cameras in the vicinity of the crash, the defendant reached speeds of 79 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone before violently colliding into the back of motorcyclist Vance Stammer, a 23-year-old man who had slowed for other vehicles. After rear ending Stammer, the defendant continued driving at a high rate of speed for over a mile with the rear tire of the victim’s motorcycle wedged underneath the Chevrolet’s front bumper. The defendant eventually collided with another vehicle before his vehicle became disabled at the Mendocino Avenue/Highway 101 overcrossing, at which point witnesses reported he got out of the vehicle and ran. Evidence collected during the investigation confirmed that in addition to speeding, the defendant was texting at or about the time of the collision

Law enforcement was unable to locate the defendant the evening of the crash but located him at his apartment the following morning. He acknowledged sleeping somewhere all night in a bush and walking home from the accident. In addition to admitting having “way too much” to drink, the defendant also acknowledged having a prior “wet reckless” conviction and knowing the dangers of driving impaired. A blood test obtained from the defendant that morning contained marijuana and hydrocodone.

During the sentencing hearing Judge Passaglia addressed the room full of grieving friends, family, and loved ones of Stammer noting, “it’s so clear how well-loved Vance was and how much he loved you.” She also stated that, “It was obvious that Mr. Stammer brought light to the people in his life, and that there were simply no words to adequately express her sympathy for their loss but expressed sincere compassion to all that were affected by the defendant’s actions.”      

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Jason Rifkind, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Dave Linscomb.  Investigator John Fisher of the Santa Rosa Police Department headed the investigation.

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