1 teen killed, 4 others from Sonoma Co. injured in suspected Novato DUI crash, police say

NOVATO, Calif. (KGO) -- In the North Bay, a teenager is dead and four others are severely injured after a terrible car crash early Saturday morning in Marin County. Novato police say speed and alcohol are factors in the wreck, which happened on San Marin Drive and Simmons Lane.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.

"It was like a big pop, then you heard the crash, like a big firecracker went off our power went out for a few seconds," said neighbor John Koo.

Koo heard the crash when a Toyota Camry struck a power pole off San Marin Drive, the front of the car twisted metal.

Novato police officers responded to the intersection of San Marin Drive and Simmons Lane at about 1 a.m. after receiving multiple calls about a collision.

"We heard donuts before, screeching," Koo said.

Police say five teens, ages 16 to 18, were inside the car. All were hospitalized with severe injuries, but one did not survive. Two of the teens are said to be in critical condition and another in stable condition.

They say the 17-year-old male driver was drunk.

"Unfortunately, it appears the was under influence of alcohol, a combination of youth, alcohol and speed resulted in this collision," said Lt. Allan Evans from Novato Police Department.

"Last night, I prayed -- I'm a Buddhist. I pray everyone was alive. We lost one," said Sandy Evans.

Sandy and Sean Evans brought flowers to the scene of the crash, paying their respects.

"It's too bad. I feel for the families. We have 20-year-olds. We tell them, 'Slow down and don't drink and drive,'" Sean Evans said.

"Before the rumors start swirling, we wanted the Novato community to know these were not teens from the area," Bates said.

"Four of them have been confirmed as Rancho Cotate and El Camino High School students and the fifth is a former Cotati-Rohnert Park student," the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District confirmed in a statement.

It's unclear what brought them to Marin.

In a statement, the school district said, in part:

"We know that there are no words that can ease the grief. This loss is felt deeply by our entire Cotati-Rohnert Unified School District (CRPUSD) family. Our entire CRPUSD community is heartbroken, and our thoughts are with the students, their families, and all those affected by this tragedy."

On top of the tragedy, neighbors say this stretch of San Marin Drive is dangerous, it's not the first time accidents have happened here.

Stunning surveillance video from 2024 shows an out-of-control car on San Marin Drive, missing a pedestrian by inches after the driver suffered a medical emergency.

EXCLUSIVE: North Bay man narrowly escapes death when out-of-control car misses him by inches

"This street is dangerous. I've been here 20 years. Nothing's happened here until last few years," Koo said.

Police are still investigating the tragic crash.

"It's frustrating law enforcement, seeing youth be injured killed in accidents that are completely avoidable," Bates said.

The school district is witholding the names of the students out of respect for the families.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or who has information about the collision was asked to contact the Novato Police Department at (415) 897-4361.