1 Killed, 2 Seriously Injured In Suspected DUI Crash In Novato

NOVATO, CA – One person was killed and two others were seriously injured after a suspected drunk driver allegedly ran a stop sign and collided with a pickup truck Tuesday night in Novato, authorities said.

Novato police responded to the two-vehicle crash at 11:14 p.m. in the intersection of Center Road and Wilson Avenue. Witnesses said a Jeep Liberty was speeding eastbound on Center Road and ran a stop sign at the intersection, colliding with a Ford F-150, which was traveling northbound on Wilson Avenue, according to police.

Police said Taylor Brindley, 24, of Novato, the driver and only occupant of the Jeep, showed signs of alcohol intoxication. After taking field sobriety tests, Brindley was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence causing injury, driving on a suspended license, reckless driving and failing to stop at a stop sign.

The driver and two passengers of the F-150 suffered major injuries in the crash and were taken to Marin General Hospital, according to police. One passenger was treated for a dislocated shoulder and broken collar bone, while the other passenger was treated for three broken ribs.

The 70-year-old driver, a Novato resident, was admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit, where he died Wednesday afternoon, police said. His name has not yet been released.

"We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of our victim and to those effected by this tragedy," police said. "Events like this have a ripple effect through our community and impact not only those who knew and loved the victim, but those who knew the suspect. There are two families suffering a huge loss in a preventable tragedy such as this."

The Novato Police Department is working with the Marin County District Attorney's office on this case, which is now being investigated as gross vehicular manslaughter.

"We remain vigilant in our pursuit of those who choose to drive under the influence on our roadways with reckless disregard for the safety of our community members," police said. "We will continue to enforce the vehicle code and hold regular checkpoints for impaired drivers. We encourage our community to continue to report impaired drivers on our city streets and to take proactive measures to prevent tragedies like this from occurring."

Anyone with information about the crash was asked to contact the Novato Police Traffic Unit at 415-897-4361.

Image via Novato Police Department