A reckless driving suspect was arrested in Novato early Thursday after a pursuit from Sonoma County at speeds of up to 80 mph, police said.
The pursuit ended on South Novato Boulevard after the suspect jumped from the flaming minivan, which caught fire from road sparks after police used spike strips to blow out its tires.
The vehicle was traveling at about 30 mph when the driver bailed, and he landed against a median divider sign post while the minivan continued another 60 yards.
Jose Rubio-Rivas, 33, of Santa Rosa, was hospitalized for his injuries. He was under arrest on suspicion of evading police, driving while intoxicated, methamphetamine possession and violating his probation conditions, Santa Rosa police said.
The incident began at about 2:30 a.m. when Santa Rosa police saw an erratic driver at Sebastopol Road and Doubles Drive. The driver refused to pull over, setting off a pursuit on Highway 12, Highway 116, Stony Point Road in Petaluma and then southbound Highway 101 into Novato, said Santa Rosa police Sgt. Michael Clark.
The California Highway Patrol lay a spike strip on Highway 101 as the suspect was heading into Marin. The strip punctured two tires, but the suspect kept driving on the rims through Novato.
The chase ended shortly after Rubio-Rivas exited at the South Novato Boulevard exit, where police had placed another spike strip.
