Sonoma County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a 30-year-old man last night after a high speed vehicle pursuit, crash. The incident started last night around 10:00 PM when a deputy on patrol was SB on 101 near Hwy 12. The car in front of him, a dark colored Nissan, was missing the month and year sticker on the rear license plate. When the deputy ran the license plate, he was informed that the car’s registration was expired since January, 2015.
The deputy tried to stop the car at Todd Rd by turning on his overhead red lights. The driver of the Nissan, later identified as James Gunther, 30 of Santa Rosa, failed to stop for the red lights and instead took the Todd Rd off-ramp and proceeded west on Todd Rd at a high rate of speed. Gunther made a right turn onto Moorland Ave and proceeded north, running the stop sign at E. Robles.
When Gunther reached Bellevue Ave he tried to make a left hand turn but was going too fast and failed to negotiate the turn. He went off the north shoulder of Bellevue Ave and collided with a culvert, ran over a traffic sign and stopped as he hit a fence at Coggin’s Kennels.
Gunther jumped out of the car and fled into the Coggin’s property where he was quickly apprehended by Sheriff’s Deputies. Deputies determined Gunther ran because he had a $15,000 warrant out for his arrest for driving on a suspended license and violation of a court order. He was booked into the Sonoma County Jail where he’s being held on $35,000 bail.
Gunther’s girlfriend was also in the car at the time of the pursuit. She stayed in the car after the crash and complied with deputies. She was cited for a misdemeanor warrant and released from the scene without charges. We are thankful nobody suffered any injuries.
Prepared by: Sgt. Spencer Crum
CR 170802032
Media Inquiries: 707-565-3941
