UPDATE, 2:45 p.m.: Caltrans now estimates that Highway 101 will be reopened at 4:30 p.m.

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UPDATE, 1:04 p.m.: The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office confirms that the suspect has died and provides further details here.

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UPDATE, 11 a.m.: Mendocinosportsplus, Mendocino County’s most active news and information Facebook page, reports that law enforcement were in pursuit of a female suspect driving a vehicle stolen from a Ukiah dealership “going 100mph with no plates.”

Scanner traffic from the time asked for medical units to stage for a “GSW” (gunshot wound). The Mendocino Voice states that it is thought that the suspect “led law enforcement on an extremely high speed chase up the Ridgewood Grade and lost control of the vehicle near the northern interchange of the Willits Bypass.”

Scanner traffic suggests that the suspect was then shot by an officer. No official word on her condition has been released.

Law enforcement is currently processing the scene of the shooting which could take a long time. Perhaps anticipating the work ahead, Caltrans has updated its QuickMap to state that they suspect the highway to be closed until 11 p.m. tonight. 

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Original Post: Law enforcement in Mendocino County is dealing with a situation on Highway 101 and have currently closed the roadway. We will update when we know more. 

From Caltrans District 1: 

Highway 101 is currently closed in Mendocino from mile post 46.9 to 50.8 (the Willits Bypass) until further notice. The available detour is through Willits on Old Highway 101.

We will update when the road status changes.