Car Sent Flying After DUI Chase In Marin County Ends In Crash: Police

NOVATO, CA — A car became airborne and landed in a Novato resident's front yard early Saturday morning after it crashed while trying to evade officers, police said.

Around 12:47 a.m. on Saturday, a Novato Police Department officer said they saw a white BMW speeding on Redwood Boulevard near Olive Avenue. The driver was later identified as Jovias Kennedy, 23, of Novato, police said.

The officer said the car was having difficulty maintaining lanes and was driving at high rate of speed.

The officer said they tried to pull over the car but Kennedy immediately fled.

Police pursued the car, which was driving 50 MPH recklessly through downtown, police said.

The pursuit continued to Marion Avenue where Kennedy struck an embankment sending the car flying where it landed in the front yard of a residence, police said.

Officers said they took Kennedy into custody, who appeared impaired and was evaluated for driving under the influence.

He was arrested and booked into the Marin County Jail for a DUI and related charges.

"It is our mission to keep impaired drivers off Novato roadways and reduce injury and fatal collisions. We remind our community members that impaired driving is never the answer. Call a sober friend, designate a driver, or use a rideshare to get home safely," police said.