Engine bursts into flames during 100-mph police chase in California, officers say

A police chase at speeds up to 100 mph in California ended early morning Nov. 2 when the fleeing car’s engine caught fire on Highway 101, Santa Rosa police said.

The pursuit began at 2:48 a.m. when a Santa Rosa officer tried to stop a silver Infiniti sedan that had run a red light, police said in a news release.

The officer gave chase when the driver refused to pull over, police said. The chase continued on Dutton Avenue, Highway 12 and Highway 101 at speeds up to 100 mph.

The car’s engine caught fire near the Highway 116 off-ramp in Cotati, and the vehicle rolled to a stop along the highway, police said. Officers removed two people from the car as it burned.

A 26-year-old Santa Rosa man was arrested on suspicion of evading arrest and felony warrants, police said. A 32-year-old passenger was arrested on misdemeanor warrants.

No one was injured, and police said drugs or alcohol were not involved.

This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 1:38 PM with the headline "Engine bursts into flames during 100-mph police chase in California, officers say."