Two Santa Rosa Police Officers Assaulted During Traffic Stop

Two Santa Rosa police officers were hospitalized after being assaulted during a traffic stop Saturday night, a police sergeant said.

An officer conducted a traffic stop in the 500 block of South E Street at about 9:50 p.m., Sgt. David Linscomb said.

The driver, 34-year-old Korynn Stewart, of Santa Rosa, appeared to be intoxicated, Linscomb said.

Stewart was put into handcuffs, and then the passenger in her car, 32-year-old Joseph Michael Simmons, of Santa Rosa, got out and confronted the officer and his partner, according to Linscomb.

Linscomb said a fight ensued, and Simmons broke free at one point. Steward kicked one of the officers in the face, he said.

The officers ultimately took out their batons and Tasers to try and bring the suspects into custody, he said.

Additional officers arrived and helped bring Stewart and Simmons into custody.

Simmons, Stewart and the officer kicked by Simmons were all transported to a hospital by ambulance. The other officer was taken by another officer to a hospital, Linscomb said.

One officer suffered "significant injuries" to the legs, arm, face and head. The other officer in the fight suffered minor injuries, he said.

Everyone involved in the fight is expected to survive, Linscomb said.

The two officers and Stewart were released from the hospital, while Simmons remains there this morning for additional treatment, Linscomb said.

Simmons will be booked into jail on suspicion of felony assault on a police officer. Stewart will be booked for felony resisting a police officer and DUI.