High-speed chase leads to crash and arrest off Highway 101

A man in a stolen car led Sonoma County sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed chase Monday night that ended in a crash off Highway 101 in Santa Rosa and his arrest.

A deputy spotted the stolen Honda Civic in the Extended Stay America hotel parking lot off Corby Avenue in Santa Rosa at about 9:45 p.m., according to Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Spencer Crum, and monitored it from a distance until he saw two people enter the vehicle at about 11:40.

When the deputy pursued the Civic, the driver, later identified as Steven Sanez, 26, of Santa Rosa, fled, entering Highway 101 southbound at a high rate of speed, Crum said. Two deputies engaged in a chase at speeds in excess of 90 mph, Crum said.

Sanez attempted to exit at Todd Road at 80 mph but his brakes locked and the vehicle went off the road, hit a ditch and crashed into a guard rail, Crum said.

Neither Sanez nor the passenger was seriously injured, Crum said. Sanez attempted to flee but was captured quickly. The passenger, his girlfriend, stayed in the car and cooperated, Crum said. She was later released.

Sanez was booked into the Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of vehicle theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, felony evasion and other charges.

Nick Rahaim