Sonoma man gets 15 years in high-speed chase

A Sonoma man who led police on a chase that ended when he crashed into another car, injuring the driver and a passenger, was sentenced Friday to 15 years in prison, prosecutors said.

Jason Patrick Smith, 44, was determined to be under the influence of alcohol in the Jan. 10 chase that began in Windsor and ended at the Steele Lane exit of Highway 101. Speeds in the chase topped 100 mph, police said at the time.

Smith, who had a blood-alcohol level of 0.14 percent, was on parole for a similar reckless evading conviction and for making criminal threats, prosecutors said.

District Attorney Jill Ravitch said Smith has proven he is an “ongoing danger” to the community.

Under state sentencing laws, he must serve at least 85 percent of his time before he can be eligible for release.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.