8-Car Wreck Clogs 101 Thursday Night; Novato Man Arrested

A Novato man was arrested on suspicion of being drunk behind the wheel and another person was transported to a hospital with minor injuries following an eight-car crash Thursday night in San Rafael, the California Highway Patrol said.

Shiloh McGillicuddy, 25, was driving a 2002 Saturn sedan on Highway 101 when he was involved in a collision at 10:26 p.m., according to CHP Officer Chris Rardin. McGilliguddy was northbound on Highway 101 near North San Pedro Road when he lost control of the car and hit the center median before coming to a stop and blocking the two left lanes, Rardin said in a CHP report.

The wipeout caused several other crashed behind him and McGilliguddy’s car was struck several times, Rardin said. In all, the CHP said there were five collisions involving eight vehicles.

The two northbound lanes were shut down for about 30 minutes as first responders dealt with the wreckage, and traffic backed up for several miles into downtown San Rafael. All northbound lanes were shut for 4 minutes.

Those involved in the crash were Kevin Griffin, Gregorio Lemus and Didier Sanchez, all of Novato, Beth Willens of San Rafael, Angelica Araya of San Francisco, Samual Riewe of Santa Rosa and Valerie Smith of Vacaville. Willens, 50, was taken to Marin General Hospital with minor injuries, the CHP said.

McGillicuddy was arrested at 12:08 a.m. and booked into Marin County Jail at 2 a.m., according the jail booking log.

Two drivers were issued citations for be unlicensed and three vehicles were stored. All the collisions are under investigation by the CHP.