High-Speed Chase Ends in Crash Just Outside Santa Rosa

By Bay City News Service

A man broke his back in a motorcycle crash while allegedly evading a California Highway Patrol officer in a high-speed chase through unincorporated Santa Rosa Friday night, according the CHP.

An officer saw a motorcycle traveling at allegedly high speeds on River Road just west of Santa Rosa at 9:46 p.m. When the officer tried to stop the motorcyclist he allegedly sped off, accelerating to speeds in excess of 90 mph, CHP officials said.

The officer pursued the motorcyclist south onto Fulton Road, then west on Guerneville Road for about 4 miles until he turned south on Frie Road before heading onto state Highway 116, officials said.

The motorcyclist then apparently tried to overtake another car, but instead sideswiped it. The rider then lost control and crashed into a raised embankment and road sign, and was ejected from the bike, CHP officials said.

The rider, identified as 43-year-old Alexander Ketcham, came to a rest on the north shoulder of Highway 116, where he was arrested on suspicion of reckless evasion and having a false license plate on his motorcycle, CHP officials said.

He was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with a broken back and cuts on his hands and arms, officials said.