LAKE COUNTY >> A driver led officers on a chase through Lake County that lasted almost two hours and finally ended in an arrest on Highway 175 near Hopland in Mendocino County on Thursday.
Kacy J. Perry, 42 of San Diego, was placed into custody facing charges of driving under the influence of a controlled substance, felony evasion and resisting an officer.
The incident began shortly after 8 a.m. when officers from the Lakeport Police Department spotted a man in a Ford Fusion (S/V) driving erratically. Minutes later, California Highway Patrol unites took over the pursuit after the vehicle turned onto Highway 29 and crossed Highland Springs Road.
Two CHP officers followed the vehicle south past the Cole Creek Road intersection. At around 8:30 a.m., however, the officer in charge, Rod Hearn, directed units to end the pursuit.
But according to CHP officer Kory Reynolds, Perry soon resumed his erratic driving. Other drivers reported seeing him driving recklessly northbound on Highway 29 near Soda Bay Road.
“The vehicle was seen driving through the intersection against a red traffic light,” said Reynolds in a prepared statement.
Reynolds had been involved in the pursuit earlier and he resumed as further reports came in that the driver passing over double yellow lines and on blind curves.
Just after 9 a.m., Lakeport Police resumed their role in the chase after spotting the vehicle driving south on 29 at Lakeport Blvd. Perry stopped and backed into an LPD patrol car before again fleeing to the south.
This time four CHP officers joined the pursuit as Perry turned west onto Highway 175, reaching speeds of up to 60 miles an hour on the narrow, twisting road.
After crossing into Mendocino County, CHP Sgt Nenad Gorenec deployed spikes and successfully cut the vehicle’s tires. Perry continued west, but at a slower pace, topping out at 40 miles per hour.
“CHP units were approved to use legal intervention before the S/V entered the populated community of Hopland,” Reynolds said.
Officers finally stopped the vehicle at 9:42 near the entrance to the Sho-Ka-Wha casino and arrested the driver. Perry was booked into the Lake County Jail.
There were no injuries. CHP and LPD vehicles suffered only moderate damage.
“The S/V sustained major damage,” Reynolds observed.
