Two patrol cars damaged in lengthy Highway 101 pursuit of DUI suspect

A Sebastopol man suspected of driving drunk as he led sheriff’s deputies on a lengthy Highway 101 chase that ended with two damaged patrol cars remained in custody Monday morning in the Sonoma County Jail.

Deputies arrested Juan Carlos Corona, 40, after a middle-of-the-night, 13-minute chase over 16 miles in northern Sonoma County.

Corona smelled of alcohol and deputies found numerous empty beer cans and smelled the odor of burning marijuana inside his Chevrolet Suburban, sheriff’s Sgt. Cecile Focha said in a news release.

The chase started at about 1 a.m. Friday on northbound Highway 101 near Dry Creek Road when a deputy tried to pull Corona over for weaving. Other officers and deputies joined the chase, which was conducted in light traffic, Focha said.

It took deputies awhile to stop Corona during the chase, which reached speeds of about 90 mph. Despite two popped tires from a spike strip laid in his path, Corona continued driving 70 mph, with sparks shooting out as one tire disintegrated down to the rim, Focha said.

Deputies tried to end the chase by striking the back of the Suburban with patrol cars, sending Corona’s vehicle into a spinning motion on their second attempt. The vehicle came to a stop on the southbound shoulder.

Both patrol vehicles that struck the Suburban were damaged. The deputies and Corona suffered minor injuries.

Corona was arrested on several charges, including evading arrest in a vehicle and driving under the influence. His bail was set at $40,000.