Police Stop Wrong-Way Driver After Chase in Sonoma County

Truck spun and stopped after officer used maneuver to force it to lose traction

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Police in Sonoma County, California stopped a pickup truck driver who was traveling the wrong way on a highway after a brief chase. The officer used a maneuver to spin the truck and bring it to a stop, with the vehicle coming to rest partially on top of the patrol car. The driver was experiencing a medical emergency and was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

Why it matters

Incidents of wrong-way driving on highways and major roads pose a serious public safety risk, often leading to head-on collisions that can be fatal. Law enforcement agencies have to be prepared to safely stop these drivers before they cause a catastrophic accident.

The details

According to police, the white Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of Arata Lane, straddling both lanes. A deputy spotted the vehicle on Old Redwood Highway near the southbound U.S. 101 on-ramp after receiving 911 calls about the erratic driving. When the driver failed to yield to the deputy's lights and siren, a pursuit ensued, with the truck continuing northbound in the wrong lane on Old Redwood Highway near Eastside Road. The officer then used a maneuver to force the truck to lose traction and spin, bringing it to a stop partially on top of the patrol vehicle.

  • On Monday, a deputy spotted the vehicle on Old Redwood Highway near the southbound U.S. 101 on-ramp.

The players

Windsor Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and stopped the wrong-way driver.

Sgt. Jeffery Toney

A sergeant with the Windsor Police Department who provided details about the incident.

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What they’re saying

“The officer finally used his car to stop the truck by forcing it to lose traction and rotate, Toney said. The tactic spun the Chevrolet Colorado pickup, which came to rest partially on top of the patrol vehicle.”

— Sgt. Jeffery Toney, Windsor Police Department (patch.com)

What’s next

The driver was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and later discharged. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the dangers of wrong-way driving and the need for law enforcement to be prepared to safely stop these drivers before they cause a serious accident. The quick action by the deputy likely prevented a much more serious outcome.