CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department is investigating the circumstances that led to a high speed chase early Wednesday morning.

Sgt. Rodd Joseph said an on-duty Clearlake Police officer noticed a suspicious silver colored Lexus sedan on 18th Avenue near Boyles Avenue at 12:44 a.m.

He said the vehicle pulled over to the side of the road and turned its lights off as the officer approached in his marked police vehicle. The driver of the Lexus, reported to be a Hispanic male adult, then turned the vehicle’s lights back on and made a quick U-turn.

Joseph said the officer got behind the vehicle and attempted to initiate a vehicle stop for a vehicle code violation, but the vehicle fled from the officer at a high rate of speed.

The Lexus and its driver led the officer on a high speed pursuit for several blocks before the officer briefly lost sight of the suspect vehicle due to poor visibility from roadway dust, Joseph said.

The officer located the vehicle at the intersection of 21st and and Phillips avenues. Joseph said the Lexus had slid off the roadway and collided with a tree. No other vehicles were involved in the collision.

He said the driver's door was open, with the driver having apparently fled on foot.

Officers discovered two additional passengers in the vehicle. Joseph said the rear passenger was identified as 28-year-old Leona Delapena of Ukiah, while the front passenger was identified as 20-year-old Jason Steele of Ukiah. Both passengers complained of pain.

Delapena initially reported that she and Steele had been carjacked at gunpoint by the suspect at a gas station, Joseph said.

However, during questioning by officers, Delapena became uncooperative and refused to provide any statements regarding the reported carjacking, Joseph said.

He said both Delapena and Steele were transported via ambulance to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake. Steele was later transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital via helicopter. Both passengers have since been released from medical care.

This case is still under investigation, Joseph said.

Any person with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Officer Middleton at the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251. Callers may remain anonymous.

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