Novato Motorcyclist Faces Reckless Driving Charge

A 57-year-old Novato man was arrested Friday afternoon in the hills above Mill Valley and faces a count of reckless driving after he was observed swerving past cars and hitting 80 mph on West Marin roads, the California Highway Patrol said.

At 2:01 p.m. Friday, a CHP airplane was on patrol over Highway 1 near Stinson Beach when it spotted a motorcycle riding southbound at high speed, according to Sgt. Marcus Bartholomew. The rider was seen passing cars across double-yellow lines on curvy stretches of the road.

CHP ground units tried to get into position to intercept the rider, but he changed course because of heavy traffic in a construction zone. The rider turned around and headed north on Highway 1 to Panoramic Highway, continuing to drive recklessly and change its direction for unknown reasons, Bartholomew said.

A CHP patrol vehicle stopped near Pan Toll Road and waited as the CHP aircraft gave updates on the motorcycle's location. The rider drove eastbound on Panoramic toward  the waiting officer and a second road unit from Highway 1 was a few seconds behind the motorcycle. Both units met the motorcyclist on Panoramic Highway and stopped him eastbound at Pan Toll Road.

Joseph Peulen was placed under arrest on suspicion of reckless driving at 2:25 p.m.  His 2006 Suzuki GSXR 1000 was impounded and Peulen was booked into the Marin County Jail without incident.