KTLA

Woman arrested after crashing into CHP cruiser during multi-county pursuit

An 18-year-old woman from Ventura County was arrested after she led CHP officers on a multi-county chase and crashed into a squad car. 

According to preliminary information from CHP, officers were notified of a pursuit coming into the Ventura area from Santa Barbara County just before 9 p.m. Saturday. 

Authorities said units stationed themselves on the southbound side of the 101 Freeway at Telephone Road to intercept the woman’s 2012 Infiniti G37 sedan, but she exited the freeway at Johnson Drive.

She then traveled towards Auto Mall Drive before turning down a dead end.

“[The driver] drove into a private lot, which was a dead end,” CHP said. “As officers attempted to terminate the pursuit, the suspect vehicle made a U-turn and accelerated, striking … one of the patrol vehicles.” 

Video from the scene shows the CHP unit that was struck with heavy front-end damage. 

An 18-year-old girl from Ventura County was arrested after she led CHP officers on a multi-county chase and crashed into a squad car on May 4, 2024. (OnSceneTV)

One officer sustained minor injuries as a result of the crash and was transported to a nearby hospital, law enforcement officials said. The woman was taken into custody after the collision without further incident. 

She was identified as Felicity Michaela Hughes, 18, of Camarillo. 

Hughes was charged with evading police with willful disregard and assault with a deadly weapon, both felony charges.  

She was transported to the Todd Road Jail in Santa Paula with her bail set at $50,000, booking records indicate. Her first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday. 

Anyone with information regarding the pursuit and crash is asked to contact CHP’s Ventura Area office by calling 805-662-2640.