ATASCADERO — A Paso Robles woman was arrested Friday afternoon after being pursued by CHP from Santa Maria to Atascadero.
Miranda Alexus Baro, 29, who was reportedly driving a 2013 Honda Civic, was arrested on suspicion of several charges, including felony evading and felony driving under the influence. She was taken into custody on Atascadero Avenue south of Santa Rosa Road at approximately 12:46 p.m.
The pursuit began at approximately 12:02 p.m. when the Santa Maria Police Department tried to pull over a 2013 Honda Civic with a driver that was reportedly driving under the influence. The Civic entered southbound US 101 at Stowell Road and was last seen traveling northbound US 101 from Betteravia Road when SMPD terminated the pursuit.
Santa Maria CHP continued to look for the suspect’s vehicle from the air. While this was happening, a citizen reported via 911 that a Civic was traveling recklessly on northbound US 101, approaching Tefft Street in Nipomo. San Luis Obispo CHP units located the vehicle and tried to stop it on US 101 at 4th Street.
The car did not stop and the pursuit continued northbound on US 101 at over 100 mph with the suspect using the median and right shoulder to evade CHP.
Spike strips were deployed twice but were unsuccessful in stopping the car.
As the pursuit entered the Templeton area at northbound US 101 and Highway 58, a Templeton CHP unit entered the pursuit and took over as primary. At approximately 12:40 p.m, as the chase continued northbound on US 101, approaching Santa Barbara Road, the suspect used the median and attempted to pass a black Volkswagen Atlas that was traveling in the No. 1 lane.
In doing so, the suspect vehicle collided with the Volkswagen and sent it out of control, across the No. 2 lane, and up an embankment where it overturned. An ambulance was requested, and units stopped to render aid as the pursuit continued north on US 101.
The suspect vehicle exited US 101 at Santa Barbara Road and proceeded westbound toward the City of Atascadero. The suspect vehicle yielded on Atascadero Avenue south of Santa Rosa Road and the driver, Baro, was arrested.
Personnel from the Templeton Area Office are handling the arrest investigation while personnel from San Luis Obispo Area CHP will be handling the collision investigation.
Photo by Rick Evans
