Full Notification

On 02/28/15, at approximately 0125 hours, a deputy from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle driving in a reckless manner on Highway 101 in the town of Windsor. The deputy estimated that the vehicle was travelling in excess of 100 MPH and due to the driver’s erratic driving, the deputy was concerned the driver was possibly driving while under the influence of alcohol.
The Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to catch up to the vehicle to initiate a traffic enforcement stop but the vehicle continued traveling southbound on Highway 101 in excess of 100 miles per hour. A vehicle pursuit ensued in which the Sheriff’s Deputy, along with a second Sonoma County Sheriff’s Deputy, pursued the fleeing vehicle southbound on Highway 101 through the city of Santa Rosa. As the suspect’s vehicle attempted to negotiate the off-ramp at the Hearn Avenue exit, the driver lost control and the vehicle crashed into a field south of the Hearn Avenue exit.
The driver of the suspect’s vehicle sustained fatal injuries in the accident and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The two passengers in the suspect’s vehicle were both injured in the accident and were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating this incident as part of the Sonoma County’s Critical Incident Investigations Protocol. Any subsequent media releases on this incident will be handled by the California Highway Patrol.

Press Release Prepared by Greg Miller, Lieutenant, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, 707-565-3941
Case #: WI150228003