Weaving Driver Evades Police Until 'High Risk' Traffic Stop Made

Novato police conducted a "high risk" traffic stop early Saturday after a San Rafael driver seen weaving on Highway 101 initially failed to pull over.

A patrol officer witnessed an unsafe lane change by the driver and maneuvered in position to pull over the driver at 12:07 a.m., Novato police Sgt. Sophia Winter said. The driver failed to yield and continued southbound for 2 1/2 miles before pulling over at the Lucas Valley park & ride lot in Terra Linda.

Natasha Burroughs, a 38-year-old San Rafael resident, showed signs of intoxication and subsequently failed field sobriety tests. She was arrested and faces charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, evading police and making an unsafe lane change.

Novato police made 16 DUI arrests in the month of October, right about the average. September was a modern-day record for the department with 29 DUI arrests. Since 2006, the previous high in Novato was July 2012 when there were 26.

"The Novato Police Department continues to aggressively enforce laws against drivers who choose to drink and drive," Winter said in a release. "Please drive safely during this holiday season. We will have continued enforcement efforts via DUI checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols over the coming weeks. Be safe and designate a driver."