Driver Accused In High-Speed Chase Found With Meth: Petaluma PD

PETALUMA, CA — A high-speed chase came to an end Wednesday night when a Petaluma man crashed his car into a fence, police said.

The pursuit started around 11:45 p.m. when Petaluma police officers saw a suspicious car at a business in the 4200 block of Petaluma Boulevard North that was hit by catalytic converter thieves the night before.

"As officers were setting up to investigate the situation, the suspect vehicle sped out of the parking lot at a high speed and proceeded northbound on Petaluma Boulevard North," the Petaluma Police Department said in a news release.

Officers activated their lights and sirens and tried to stop the driver but as he continued onto northbound U.S. 101, the chase began, police said.

Once on the freeway, the suspect, identified by police as 61-year-old Daniel Burke of Petaluma, reached 100 mph as he erratically weaved through traffic, police said.

Burke was going 75 mph as he took the Railroad Avenue exit where he tore through a stop sign and continued across the roadway until he crashed into a fence, police said.

The crash disabled Burke's car which allowed officers to take him into custody without further incident, police said.

Officers searched Burke's car and found suspected methamphetamine.

He was also found to be driving on a suspended license, police said.

No officers were involved in the collision, police said.

California Highway Patrol assisted in the crash investigation.

Burke was booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of felony evasion, possession of suspected methamphetamine, and driving on a suspended license, Petaluma police said.