Full Notification

On Saturday October 10th at approximately 12:55 AM, a Sonoma County Deputy Sheriff attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Chevy Suburban that was weaving in the lanes while traveling northbound highway 101 near Dry Creek Rd. The driver took an off-ramp, but did not stop. Instead he re-entered the freeway and accelerated to speeds up to 90 mph. Soon another Deputy and an officer from Healdsburg PD came to assist.

Despite the patrol cars with lights and sirens, the driver still failed to yield. At Canyon Road, a Deputy set out a spike strip which was successful in deflating two of the suspect’s tires. Undaunted by a flat tire and one shredded completely off the rim, the suspect continued to evade at varying speeds up to 70 mph. Just north of the Citrus Fair Exit in the Cloverdale area, the driver slowed and appeared was possibly going to change directions and head southbound. A Deputy used a maneuver to spin the suspect vehicle into the center median.

As Deputies prepared to approach the car, the driver put it into gear and started spinning the tires. The car was not disabled and the driver began to accelerate to get away. The driver then went southbound with sparks flying from the rim. Another Deputy quickly positioned his car in a manner that caused the Suburban to spin-out and come to rest on the shoulder of the southbound lane. The engine died, but the stereo was still blaring music. The driver refused to step out of the car and was soon arrested without further incident.

The driver was Juan Carlos Corona, a 40 year old man from Sebastopol. He was the sole occupant of the Suburban. Corona smelled heavily of alcohol and the odor of burnt marijuana was in the vehicle. Inside the car the Deputies found a methamphetamine smoking pipe, numerous empty and full beer cans/bottles along with a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle. They also found court documents relating to his probation on another criminal case.

Fortunately the Deputies and Corona sustained only minor injuries during the incident. The pursuit lasted approximately 13 minutes and traveled 15.9 miles.

Corona was booked into Sonoma County jail for recklessly evading arrest in a vehicle, resisting arrest, driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, possession of paraphernalia and violation of probation. Corona’s bail is $40,000 and he is scheduled to go to court this Wednesday at 1:30.

Case #151010-003

Prepared by Sergeant Cecile Focha
Media Relations / PIO