Sonoma County police chase ends in crash, arrest

Lina PortmanMay 28, 2024

0 1 minute read

SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. — Authorities in Sonoma County arrested a motorist for alleged reckless driving after a lengthy chase over the weekend.

In a statement released Sunday, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said that around 9 p.m. Saturday, one of its deputies attempted to stop a gray BMW in the area of Santa Rosa Avenue near Todd Road , after the vehicle was allegedly seen traveling recklessly.

However, the driver fled and after a chase began, the officer had to end his pursuit because he lost sight of the vehicle near Santa Rosa and Yolanda avenues, the sheriff's office said.

Minutes later, the Sheriff's Office helicopter saw a vehicle crossing the area of State Route 101 and the Route 12 interchange. According to the Air Patrol, the vehicle's brakes appeared extremely hot through the thermal camera of the helicopter.

A deputy attempted to stop the vehicle while it was traveling on Wilson Street in Santa Rosa. The pursuit was again ended for the safety of the public as the vehicle fled toward downtown.

A Santa Rosa police officer, who was unaware the vehicle was involved in a chase, attempted to stop it as it turned onto First Street. But he turned onto South A Street and lost control.

The BMW crashed into a wall and tree in the 400 block of the street.

The driver was taken into custody and arrested by the Santa Rosa Police Department and the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office for numerous alleged offenses, including reckless driving and felony eluding.