Santa Rosa, CA – A 21-year-old woman from Santa Rosa was arrested after leading Petaluma police on a dangerous high-speed chase that reached over 100 miles per hour along Highway 101, authorities said.
The Petaluma Police Department (PPD) reported that the pursuit began when an officer noticed the suspect’s vehicle speeding northbound just past the East Washington Street overpass. When the officer attempted a traffic stop, the driver initially appeared to cooperate but then abruptly fled the scene, accelerating away at a high rate of speed.
Chase Reaches Triple-Digit Speeds
According to police, the officer returned to his patrol vehicle and began pursuing the suspect as she sped northbound on Highway 101, reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph.
The chase continued for several miles before the woman exited the freeway at River Road in Santa Rosa, weaving through local streets before eventually stopping in the 2100 block of Dennis Lane, as per KTVU.
Suspect Identified and Arrested
Authorities identified the driver as Aleah Traill, 21, of Santa Rosa. She was taken into custody without incident and booked into Sonoma County Jail on charges of reckless evading.
The Petaluma Police Department said that despite the dangerous speeds involved, no injuries or crashes occurred during the pursuit. Officers commended the quick and coordinated response between law enforcement units in Sonoma County that ensured the chase ended safely.
Police Emphasize Dangers of Fleeing Traffic Stops
The PPD issued a reminder to the public that fleeing from police not only places officers and suspects at risk but also endangers innocent drivers. “High-speed pursuits can easily turn deadly,” the department noted in its statement, urging motorists to comply with traffic stops and resolve violations safely.
What do you think about this 100 mph police chase through Sonoma County?
Should reckless evading charges carry stricter penalties when public safety is at risk?
Share your thoughts in the comments below — do you think justice was served in this case?
