Corte Madera Woman Stopped From Driving Wrong Way on Richmond-San Rafael Bridge

California Highway Patrol officers stopped a 75-year-old Corte Madera woman who was driving against traffic on Interstate Highway 580 Sunday night, Marin CHP officials said.

The woman was driving westbound on eastbound I-580 before she was stopped just past the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge toll plaza at about 9 p.m., officials said. The dark-colored Toyota convertible she was driving had lost both passenger-side tires and was being driven on bare wheels, according to the CHP.

Witnesses called the CHP to report a driver heading the wrong way on I-580 near Regatta Boulevard in Richmond at about 8:50 p.m., officials said. The car was being driven about 15 to 20 mph, with no headlights, in the No. 1 lane and center divider, witnesses said.

The woman, who was exhibiting signs of dementia, was placed in the care of nearby relatives, officials said.

Officers cited her with a CHP recommendation to a priority reevaluation from the Department of Motor Vehicles of the driver's privilege to drive. A relative took possession of the Toyota, according to the CHP.

"Many people do not realize, that apart from restricting access to a vehicle, relatives can also petition (the) DMV to reexamine a person's privilege to drive due to a physical or mental condition that may endanger the driver or the public," Sgt. Marcus Bartholomew said in a news release.

The California DMV and the California Highway Patrol websites have sections devoted to seniors and teenage drivers. For more information, contact your local CHP office or DMV.

— Bay City News Service