Woman Leads Cops On Chase, Tries To Escape From Hospital: SRPD

SANTA ROSA, CA — A San Francisco woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, hit-and-run, and other offenses Sunday night when she led officers on a slow-speed chase through Santa Rosa streets, police said.

The series of events started at 7:54 p.m. Sunday when officers responded to Olive Street where a reckless driver reportedly crashed into several parked cars, Santa Rosa police Sgt. Hector De Leon said.

As officers searched for the suspect car, a sergeant with an allied law enforcement agency spotted one matching the description.

The sergeant tried to stop the driver, later identified as 32-year-old San Francisco resident Kelly Ikeguchi, but she continued driving and a brief pursuit ensued, De Leon said.

When Ikeguchi reached Steele Lane and Service Court, Santa Rosa police officers assisted the sergeant with a high-risk vehicle stop.

Ikeguchi once again drove off, going about 20 mph as she headed eastbound on Steele Lane toward Mendocino Avenue, De Leon said.

"One of the Santa Rosa police officers attempted a pursuit intervention technique (PIT) which temporarily disabled the vehicle, however, Ikeguchi continued driving eastbound on Steele Lane," De Leon said.

When Ikeguchi reached the intersection of Steele and Mendocino, her SUV appeared to be disabled and she came to a stop.

"Ikeguchi revved the engine in an apparent attempt to continue driving, but the vehicle did not move," De Leon said. "Officers gave Ikeguchi commands to come out of the vehicle, but she did not respond."

Officers were concerned Ikeguchi would continue driving erratically and cause more collisions, so they used their patrol cars to block her SUV, De Leon said.

"After extensive negotiations, Ikeguchi eventually came out and was taken into custody," De Leon said.

When officers took her to a hospital for examination of previous injuries, she again tried to escape and was again apprehended, De Leon said.

Once at Sonoma County jail, Ikeguchi was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, hit and run, evading a peace officer and obstructing/delaying a peace officer, all misdemeanor charges, De Leon said.