Car Plows Into San Rafael Market; Teen Driver Arrested
SAN RAFAEL (CBS SF) -- A Novato teen suspected of driving under the influence was arrested Wednesday after he crashed a car into a market in San Rafael, according to the California Highway Patrol.
A CHP officer received a "be on the lookout" alert from dispatch regarding a reckless, and possibly impaired, driver Wednesday afternoon.
The officer spotted the vehicle, a beige 1999 Honda Accord, around 1 p.m. on U.S. Highway 101 north of Freitas Parkway, CHP officials said.
The Honda exited the highway at Lincoln Avenue and the officer initiated a traffic stop. The driver sped away southbound on Lincoln Avenue, according to the CHP.
Within half a mile, the driver turned to the left and skidded through the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Linden Lane, crashing into the corner of the Famous Market and Deli at 1492 Lincoln Ave., CHP officials said.
The CHP said after the crash the driver attempted to run away and the officer detained him and put him in the patrol car.
The officer asked a citizen to watch the 17-year-old suspect as he went inside the market to see if anyone had been injured in the crash.
Two people in the market suffered minor injuries and were treated and released at the scene.
While the officer was inside the market attending to the victims, the suspect allegedly attempted to run away again, CHP officials said.
The person who was watching the teen ran inside to tell the officer, who apprehended the teen for a second time, according to the CHP.
The suspect was taken to Marin General Hospital for a medical evaluation before he was arrested on suspicion of evading an officer, driving under the influence, possession of a stolen vehicle, and driving without a license.
(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
