Evading Motorcyclist To Be Arrested After Hospital Stay

SONOMA-Sheriff’s officials plan to arrest a Sonoma Valley man on suspicion of driving under the influence, as well as felony evading, after he is released from the hospital for injuries he suffered last week in a motorcycle accident.

Authorities say around 6:10 p.m. Thursday an officer with the Sonoma Police Department observed 49-year-old John Ogata on a motorcycle driving slow and erratically, while its hazards light were flashing on state Highway 12 near Siesta Way.

The sergeant initiated a traffic stop, flashing his lights and activating his siren, but the motorcycle sped away. The sergeant was unable to pursue the motorcycle because of traffic conditions. He then alerted other patrol units in the area to be on the lookout for the motorcycle and its driver, according to officials.

A short time later a sheriff’s deputy saw Ogata on the highway, near East Thompson Avenue. The motorcycle still had its hazard lights flashing. The deputy tried to stop the motorcycle, but again the driver fled, sheriff’s officials said.

The deputy pursued the motorcyclist as he continued to drive erratically on southbound state Highway 12. Other deputies joined the pursuit. Ogata then made a U-turn at West Napa Street and accelerated quickly in the highway’s northbound lanes, according to sheriff’s officials.

At the West Spain Street intersection, he drove through a red light and collided with a car that was making a left turn from West Spain Street. The motorcycle then struck another vehicle head-on, sheriff’s officials said. The motorcyclist was ejected from the motorcycle and he suffered major injuries.

Medical crews treated Ogata at the scene before airlifting him to the Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa, according to sheriff’s officials.

The two vehicles involved in the accident with the motorcycle sustained major damage, however the drivers were uninjured, sheriff’s officials said.

Deputies believe alcohol was a factor in the collision.

Although Ogata’s condition is currently unknown, he remains hospitalized, according to sheriff’s officials. Once Ogata is medically cleared, deputies will arrest him, sheriff’s officials said.

-Bay City News Service