A wrong-way driver suspected of driving drunk caused a head-on collision early Christmas morning on Highway 101 between Novato and Petaluma, the California Highway Patrol said.
A 58-year-old Petaluma woman sustained moderate injuries when her northbound car struck the wrong-way driver coming southbound in the northbound lanes at 4:06 a.m, according to CHP Sgt. Kevin Briggs.
The crash took place just south of the Redwood Landfill, about 2 1/2 miles north of the Novato city limits. The wrong-way driver, identified as Champin Chen, 30, of San Diego, suffered minor injuries. The other driver, Janice Morante of Petaluma, had injuries described as moderate.
Both drivers were able to get out of their vehicles on their own, Novato Fire District Battalion Chief Gerald McCarthy said. They were transported to Marin General Hospital.
After the collision in the No. 1 northbound lane, Morante's 2004 Nissan careened into the grass and hit the center divider. Chen's 2008 Mazda ended up straddling the right shoulder and the slow lane.
Chen was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, Briggs said.
Stay Patched in! Follow Novato Patch on Twitter | Like Novato Patch on Facebook | Sign up for the daily e-mail with links to the latest news.
That plus siezure and auction of the car, regardless of ownership (unless stolen), would help curb the problem.