DUI Suspects Lead Petaluma Police On Series Of Dramatic Chases

PETALUMA, CA — For the second night in a row, officers arrested a DUI driver after a pursuit, the Petaluma Police Department reported.

At about 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, Petaluma police saw a vehicle speeding near Petaluma Boulevard North and Skillman Lane.

The driver, Gadiel Cortez-Diaz, 21, failed to yield when officers attempted a traffic stop and instead led officers on a pursuit into the western unincorporated area of Petaluma, according to Petaluma Police Department.

The pursuit ended on Cavanaugh Lane after Cortez-Diaz pulled over.

Officers found that Cortez-Diaz was under the influence of alcohol, police said. They also found open alcohol containers in the vehicle, according to the Petaluma Police Department. Cortez-Diaz was arrested on suspicion of multiple charges, including driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, reckless evading, and possession of open containers in a vehicle.

No related collisions or injuries were reported.

However, this was the second alcohol-related arrest in two days. On Tuesday night, a routine traffic check turned into a chase and stand-off during which police pepper-sprayed the driver and deployed a drone.