A 29-year-old Napa man was arrested over the weekend after a high-speed vehicle pursuit that led police from Napa to Yountville.
Carlos Rodgriguez Gondinez was taken into custody at about 8:20 p.m. Friday on suspicion of evading police with wanton disregard for safety, driving with a suspended license and probation violation.
According to the police log, an officer was traveling southbound on Jefferson Street between Trancas Street and Claremont Avenue when he saw a Mitsubishi Eclipse traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on Jefferson Street just south of Claremont Avenue.
The officer accelerated and caught up to the vehicle as it was stopping for red light traffic at Pueblo Avenue. At this location, the officer activated his patrol vehicle’s emergency light.
When the light turned green, the driver of the Mitsubishi, later identified as Godinez, continued southbound at 20-25 mph. As Godinez got to Menlo Avenue, he turned right (westbound).
The officer activated his patrol vehicles siren, at which time Godinez accelerated rapidly. The officer pursued Godinez for several minutes with speeds reaching 45 mph in the areas of California Boulevard and Trancas Street.
Eventually the pursuit made its way onto northbound Highway 29 with speeds in excess of 80 mph.
As the pursuit entered into the town of Yountville, the pursuing officers lost sight of Godinez and terminated the pursuit.
As officers checked the area of Yount Mill Road in Yountville, they located Godinez’s vehicle parked in a driveway of a residence. Standing next to the car was Godinez, who allegedly made admissions of being the driver during the pursuit. Godinez was taken into custody.
A records check revealed Godinez’s driver’s license was suspended and that he was on active probation out of Napa County.
Godinez had allegedly been drinking, but was not under the influence. Godinez was booked into Napa County Department of Corrections.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
