A two-hour pursuit across three Central California counties ended safely after a driver fleeing a welfare check was apprehended by law enforcement, the California Highway Patrol reported Wednesday.

The incident began when Clovis police conducted a welfare check, prompting the person to flee. CHP officers in Fresno took over the pursuit after the vehicle entered the freeway, officials said.

The chase lasted 2 hours and 13 minutes and covered roughly 189 miles, with Fresno police and CHP aircraft monitoring the vehicle as it traveled through Fresno, Tulare, and Kern counties.

Officers ultimately used a pursuit intervention technique to bring the vehicle to a stop.

The driver was taken into custody without further incident and faces felony evading charges. Authorities said the situation may have stemmed from a possible mental health crisis.

Authorities remind anyone experiencing a mental health crisis to contact the Crisis Lifeline at 988, a free and confidential service available 24/7.

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