Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Jan. 11, 2021, at about 12:45 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the area of McKinleyville Avenue and Murray Road in McKinleyville for the report of a domestic disturbance.

Deputies arrived in the area and observed a vehicle traveling on Murray Road at a slow rate of speed, with the driver, later identified as 39-year-old Tashina Lachelle Barnett, arguing with a male pedestrian. Deputies attempted a traffic stop on Barnett’s vehicle, at which time the vehicle fled. Deputies initiated a pursuit of the vehicle, which continued onto U.S. Highway 101 with speeds reaching over 100 miles per hour.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded and took command of the pursuit. During the pursuit, the CHP deployed a spike strip, successfully disabling the vehicle.

Barnett was taken into custody by CHP officers and was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of evading a peace officer (VC 2800.2), DUI (VC 23152(a) and VC 23152(a)) and driving with a suspended license (VC 14601.2(a)).

During their subsequent investigation, deputies learned that Barnett and the male pedestrian were known to each other and Barnett had an active criminal protective order restraining her from contacting the male pedestrian. Barnett was booked on an additional charge of violating a court order (PC 273.6(A)).

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.