2 Arrested For Street Racing On U.S. Highway 101: CHP

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A 17-year-old male from Healdsburg and an 18-year-old male from Santa Rosa were arrested after they were allegedly caught street racing Saturday night on U.S. Highway 101, California Highway Patrol officials said. It was around 8:50 p.m. when an officer initially noticed a BMW and a Toyota Scion rapidly switching lanes in front of him on southbound 101 north of River Road, according to CHP Officer Jonathan Sloat. The vehicles were traveling about 85 mph, cutting in and out of traffic, Sloat said.

"When the two vehicles ... reached approximately 90 mph, a passenger in the Scion stuck his upper torso out of the window and waved at the BMW," Sloat said. "The vehicles lined up side by side and quickly accelerated to over 110 mph. The officer followed and observed both vehicles cut in and out of traffic at speeds over 100 mph."

The officer requested an additional unit and turned on his lights to initiate a traffic stop. The BMW reportedly stopped as it approached Steele Lane; the Scion took the Steele exit, where it was stopped by the second officer, Sloat said.

The drivers of the two cars were directed to a parking lot at Steele and Cleveland, where the officers made contact with both.

The Scion driver, identified by the CHP as Chad McChinak, 18, of Santa Rosa, admitted he knew the other driver, identified as a 17-year-old Healdsburg resident, Sloat said.

"Officers noted the smell of alcohol on McChinak, who had been drinking, but was found not to be under the influence," Sloat said.

CHP arrested both drivers.

McChinak was booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of street racing, reckless driving and being under 21 with a blood alcohol content of over .01 perecent.

The juvenile male driver from Healdsburg was booked at the Los Guilicos Detention Facility on suspicion of street racing and reckless driving.

Image via Shutterstock