Driver Leads California Highway Patrol Officers On A 100 M.P.H Chase

According to the Centers for Disease Control, about one-third of all traffic accidents resulting in a fatality involve someone driving under the influence. Nationwide, the number of DUI crashes are decreasing, and in California, the same trend seems to apply. The California DMV reported that alcohol-related fatalities decreased by 1% in 2015. This followed a decrease of 3.5% in 2014. In 2015, 33.3% of crashes involving fatalities were alcohol-involved. 9.9% of all crashes resulting in injury were in crashes involving alcohol. DUI arrests have also decreased by 11.8% in 2015. However, California’s conviction rate remains high, with 72.7% of all DUI arrests resulting in the conviction of the person arrested. 

The Marin Independent Journal reports that a DUI suspect has been arrested after a 100-m.p.h. chase through Marin County. 

The pursuit began at about 5:30 p.m. on Thursday when California Highway Patrol officers noticed a driver behaving recklessly on Highway 121 west of Highway 12 in Sonoma County. 

48-year-old Eric James Hjul was driving a rental car and exceeded 100 m.p.h. when he got onto Highway 37 into Novato. Once Hjul entered Highway 101 southbound, a CHP helicopter joined in the chase. 

After getting onto Interstate 580 and heading eastbound, Hjul exited at Bellham Boulevard in San Rafael. He then got onto Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and got back onto Highway 101. 

CHP then deployed a spike strip, deflating three of the suspect’s tires. Hjul then took the Spencer Avenue exit and drove into the parking lot of Sausaltio Yacht Harbor where police were able to stop him. 

Hjul was arrested on suspicion of DUI.

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