Rolls-Royce strikes, seriously injuring two Stockton women in Napa before their birthday, a friend says

Two Stockton women were in downtown Napa Monday for a birthday celebration were hit by a Rolls-Royce SUVa friend told The Press Democrat.

Veronica Pansanouk, 31, and Annamarie Thammala, 29, are hospitalized at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, where they are awaiting additional surgeries, said Sundy Pech, 34, of Benicia.

A friend of 20 years, she described Pansanouk and Thammala as cousins, mothers and “very close.”

Their injuries included broken legs, broken ribs and spinal injuries. One of them is on a breathing tube and there was no word Wednesday on when they will be released from the hospital.

“The image of our loved ones gently rubbing their hands and heads for comfort is a constant, heartbreaking flashback during our visit to the hospital,” Pech said.

Napa police are investigating the collision and a spokesperson said the office would not release the names of anyone involved in the case.

Police have said the collision was reported Monday around 3 p.m. at First and School streets in downtown Napa.

The SUV drove onto the sidewalk and struck the women before plowing into the wall of an area hotel.

Police said the driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries. His vehicle sustained major damage, while damage to the building was considered moderate.

Investigators have ruled out alcohol as a factor in the collision, but have not said whether they have identified the immediate cause of the crash or everyone’s direction of travel.

A video showing surveillance footage of the collision is circulating on social media, which appears to come from a nearby business. It shows a group of women driving north on First Street when the SUV, traveling at an apparent high speed, enters the intersection of School Street.

The Press Democrat could not verify the source of the images. Officials at nearby businesses denied ownership or did not return calls asking about the video’s origins.

Pech said Pansanouk and Thammala were standing in a crosswalk when the SUV struck them.

Pansanouk was trapped under the SUV, near the driver’s side. The impact threw Thammala a short distance and landed under a fallen tree.

“Bystanders and friends rushed to help and luckily were able to get the tree off her,” Pech said.

Paramedics took the women to Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa before transferring them to the hospital in Sacramento.

Recalling the events of Monday afternoon, Pech said: “The news was a nightmare for all of us – their families, relatives and close friends.

“We drove to UC Davis and followed the ambulance,” she said. “We waited with painful anxiety and trust as they were brought to the ICU in critical condition.”

You can reach staff writer Colin Atagi at [email protected]. On Twitter @colin_atagi