CHP Arrests Novato Man on Alleged Felony DUI, Hit and Run

A 29-year-old Novato man was arrested Wednesday evening on suspicion of felony driving under the influence and hit and run after he allegedly fled the scene of a crash in which he rear-ended another car on Hwy. 101, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Michael Peeler of Novato was driving a 2007 Honda Accord northbound on Hwy. 101 just south of the Hwy. 37 interchange when he rear-ended a 2009 Lexus RX300 as the traffic in front of him slowed to a halt at around 7 p.m., CHP spokesman Eric Hohmeister said. The Lexus was being driven by Mill Valley resident, recent grad and star basketball player Jenna May, who is heading to Sonoma State in the fall.

After the collision, May pulled over to the center median and Peeler immediately fled the scene, Hohmeister said. May complained of pain to her neck but declined medical treatment.

Novato police officers located Peeler and his damaged Honda on Fox Court at Wilson Hill in Novato 10 minutes later and CHP officers went to the scene. They determined that Peeler was the driver at the time of the collision, had been driving under the influence and intentionally fled the scene of the collision, making no attempt to contact law enforcement.

Peeler was arrested and booked into Marin County Jail on felony DUI as a result of May’s injuries and felony hit and run. Peeler’s 26-year-old passenger, Jason Pisaro of Santa Rosa, was not injured in the collision, Hohmeister said.

The Honda suffered moderate front end damage in the collision, while damage to the Lexus was minor, he said.