3 Quick Crashes Lead to Woman's DUI Charge

A Novato woman faces hit-and-run and DUI charges after three traffic incidents in succession Saturday morning, Novato police said.

Officers responded at 10:17 a.m. after several reports of impaired driver in the downtown area, Lt. Oliver Collins said. Witnesses said the first incident occurred in the parking lot outside Peet's Coffee & Teas in the 7300 block of Redwood Boulevard and the last was in the 1500 block of South Novato Boulevard near Center Road. The woman was contacted and officers detected signs of impairment, Collins said.

Several people told police that the woman — Beth Willens, 52 — was the one involved in the three collisions, which damaged two other vehicles and a sign pole. Nobody was hurt.

Willens faces misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and hit-and-run with property damage. Collins said police would like to thank the people who assisted in "the rapid closure of this potentially dangerous incident" and encourage calls to 911 if anyone suspects an impaired driver.

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