Community
Media Release
On Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 5:11PM, Mill Valley Police were dispatched to a report of a traffic collision that involved a large recreational vehicle. As officers responded to the area, witnesses continued to update our dispatchers with information which included their suspicion that the driver was possibly under the influence of alcohol.
Once at the scene of the collision, officers found that the vehicle had failed to safely navigate a turn in the roadway and found the vehicle to be stuck, partially off the roadway and leaning against a roadside fence. Officers made contact with the occupants of the vehicle and determined the male adult driver was accompanied by a juvenile passenger. The juvenile passenger later came out of the vehicle, however the adult refused to exit or cooperate with our officers investigation. Officers spent time attempting to calm the driver while utilizing de- escalation techniques to persuade him to exit the vehicle without further incident.
Our efforts to encourage the driver to exit the vehicle peacefully were unsuccessful and the driver was ultimately removed from the vehicle while he actively resisted arrest. After a brief struggle, our officers were able to detain the driver and complete the investigation.
The recreational vehicle sustained major damage in a series of collisions, no injuries were reported as a result of the collisions and only minor property damage was located.
The suspect was identified as James Barnes, age 57, of Mill Valley, California.
Barnes was booked into Marin County Jail on charges of:
23152(a) VC – Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
273a (a) PC - Child Endangerment
148(a) (1) PC – Obstruct/Resist Public Officer
This case is still actively under investigation. If you have any information or need to report a crime related to this incident, please call 415-389-4100 or (415) 721-4547 to our anonymous tip line. No further information will be released at this time.
Media Release 
Media Release
On Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 5:11PM, Mill Valley Police were dispatched to a report of a traffic collision that involved a large recreational vehicle. As officers responded to the area, witnesses continued to update our dispatchers with information which included their suspicion that the driver was possibly under the influence of alcohol.
Once at the scene of the collision, officers found that the vehicle had failed to safely navigate a turn in the roadway and found the vehicle to be stuck, partially off the roadway and leaning against a roadside fence. Officers made contact with the occupants of the vehicle and determined the male adult driver was accompanied by a juvenile passenger. The juvenile passenger later came out of the vehicle, however the adult refused to exit or cooperate with our officers investigation. Officers spent time attempting to calm the driver while utilizing de- escalation techniques to persuade him to exit the vehicle without further incident.
Our efforts to encourage the driver to exit the vehicle peacefully were unsuccessful and the driver was ultimately removed from the vehicle while he actively resisted arrest. After a brief struggle, our officers were able to detain the driver and complete the investigation.
The recreational vehicle sustained major damage in a series of collisions, no injuries were reported as a result of the collisions and only minor property damage was located.
The suspect was identified as James Barnes, age 57, of Mill Valley, California.
Barnes was booked into Marin County Jail on charges of:
23152(a) VC – Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
273a (a) PC - Child Endangerment
148(a) (1) PC – Obstruct/Resist Public Officer
This case is still actively under investigation. If you have any information or need to report a crime related to this incident, please call 415-389-4100 or (415) 721-4547 to our anonymous tip line. No further information will be released at this time.
Address/Location
Mill Valley Police Department (CA)
1 Hamilton Dr
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 415-389-4100