Crime & Safety

Missing Tire Doesn't Deter Accused Drunk Driver in High-Speed Chase Through Marin

A wild car pursuit that began on southbound Highway 101 near Novato ended after the vehicle spun out and crashed near the Waldo Tunnel on Highway 101 in Sausalito.

The chase, which began around 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, started after someone called the California Highway Patrol to report a driver traveling on Highway 101 in a Chrysler Sebring that was missing its right rear tire — the vehicle was traveling on the metal rim.

The driver initially yielded to officers at the Alameda Del Prado off-ramp in Novato, but quickly accelerated away and began a pursuit on Alameda Del Prado, according to CHP officials.

Find out what's happening in San Anselmo-Fairfaxwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The driver, traveling at speeds from 30 to 60 mph, ran stop signs and stoplights before re-entering southbound Highway 101 at Ignacio Boulevard in Novato.

The pursuit continued at speeds of 60 to 80 mph. The driver, who had two CHP vehicles following her, excited the freeway at the Sir Francis Drake Blvd. exit in Larkspur before quickly re-entering the highway.

Find out what's happening in San Anselmo-Fairfaxwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In an attempt to stop the car, officers positioned a third CHP vehicle near the Strawberry pedestrian overcrossing in Mill Valley with a spike strip. The spike strip flattened the left tire of the vehicle, which continued until it spun out of control near the Waldo Tunnel. Officers ordered her out of the vehicle at gunpoint.

A 34-year-old woman, Maria Magdalena Bautista of Des Moines, Iowa, was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and is facing charges including reckless driving while evading a peace officer and driving while unlicensed.

  


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from San Anselmo-Fairfax