Traffic Stop Turns into High-Speed Chase

A woman was arrested Saturday for allegedly leading Sebastopol police on a high-speed chase that ended outside of Bodega to avoid being caught driving under the influence, police said.

Police first stopped a green Toyota Camry for several traffic violations in downtown Sebastopol at 2:19 a.m. The car had been speeding, had crossed the double yellow lines, and did not have working taillights, police said.

The driver yielded briefly on Florence Avenue near Bodega Avenue, and the driver appeared to be drunk, police said. She then drove away, fleeing the traffic stop.

The car was spotted around two miles away on Bodega Highway near Gold Ridge Road, and police pursued it. The chase reached speeds of 85 mph as the Toyota swerved recklessly, at times driving into oncoming traffic, police said.

The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office assisted in the pursuit, which ended outside of the town of Bodega, nearly 8 miles away.

The driver of the car, identified by police as Bodega resident Marie Dawn Stokes, 31, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and felony evading.