CHP Pursuit Through Marin Ends in Gunpoint Arrest of an Unlicensed Drunk Driver

CHP News Release
MARIN CHP PURSUES AND APPREHENDS SUSPECTED DUI DRIVER
On Tuesday, September 10, 2013, at approximately 12:01 a.m., Marin CHP officers received a broadcast for a dark colored Chrysler Sebring driving southbound on US-101 from San Antonio Road, approaching Novato.  

The reporting party stated the Chrysler was missing its right rear tire and was driving on the metal wheel only.  As CHP officers responded to the area the reporting party advised the vehicle had exited into Novato and was no longer on the freeway.  A CHP unit (2 officers in 1 car) positioned itself on the Ignacio on-ramp to southbound US-101 to watch if the vehicle would re-enter the freeway and continue south.
  
At approximately 12:24 a.m., the CHP unit observed a dark colored Chrysler Sebring with no right rear tire pass their location in the slow lane.  The officers caught up to the Chrysler and initiated an enforcement stop on the vehicle as they approached the Alameda Del Prado off ramp.  The Chrysler initially yielded to the right shoulder but quickly accelerated away from the officers as they came to a stop.  The Chrysler turned north on Alameda Del Prado and accelerated away from officers, at which time the officer broadcast that a pursuit was in progress.

The Chrysler continued north on Alameda Del Prado at speeds varying from 30-60 MPH and running stop signs and stop lights, until eventually re-entering southbound US-101 at Ignacio Boulevard.  A second CHP unit joined the pursuit as it passed the Alameda del Prado exit.  

The driver of the Chrysler varied their speeds from 60 to 80 MPH, all while driving on only the right rear rim.  As the pursuit approached the Sir Francis Drake Boulevard exit, the driver of the Chrysler slowed and exited where they initially began transitioning to eastbound Sir Francis Drake before turning right and re-entering southbound US-101.  As the pursuit continued southbound, a third CHP unit positioned itself at the Strawberry pedestrian overcrossing with a spike strip.  As the Chrysler passed the overcrossing, the officers successfully deployed the spike strip, flattening the left rear tire of the Chrysler. 

The Chrysler continued driving southbound on US-101, now with a left rear flat tire and absolutely no tire on the right rear.  As the driver of the Chrysler approached the entrance to the Waldo Tunnel they were unable to negotiate a left curve in the roadway and spun out.  As the Chrysler spun out it traveled across the traffic lanes and off of the right side of the roadway where it collided with the rock hill side ultimately coming to rest facing the wrong way on the shoulder.  Officers ordered the driver out of the vehicle at gun point and detained her without any further incident.

After the driver was detained she was identified as 34 year old Maria Magdalena Bautista of Des Moines, Iowa.  As officers spoke with Bautista they observed objective signs of intoxication and initiated a DUI investigation.  

Bautista was subsequently placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI as well as evading and driving while unlicensed.  

Due to the fact that Bautista was driving on a rim only at the speeds she was traveling as well as failing to stop at stop signs and stop lights, officers deemed it to be reckless in nature Bautista was transported to Marin General Hospital for a medical clearance prior to being booked into Marin County Jail for the following charges:
1.) 2800.2(a) VC – Felony- Reckless driving while evading a peace officer
2.) 23152(a) VC – Misdemeanor DUI
3.) 12500(a) VC – Misdemeanor driving while unlicensed