Santa Rosa traffic accident leads to police chase and arrest

A 19-year-old Santa Rosa driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after he allegedly caused a crash and then led police on a chase.

Saul Morales-Ramirez initially was involved in a crash near Farmers Lane and Highway 12 around 1:30 p.m. Sunday, according to police.

A witness said he appeared to be intoxicated and drove from the scene, said Sgt. Brenda Harrington.

When police officers spotted his 2005 Ford Focus in the area, he failed to yield and led them on a chase southbound on Farmers Lane, then westbound on Bennett Valley Road, Harrington said.

At Gordon Lane, the vehicle went out of control and spun around. Police said Morales-Ramirez ran from the car, jumped over fences and into yards.

Officers said they found him hiding behind a bush on Green Way where he was taken into custody.

He was arrested on suspicion of felony evading, resisting arrest, possession of drugs for sale and driving under the influence, according to Harrington.

The suspect was being held in jail in lieu of $10,000 bail and scheduled for a court arraignment Tuesday.