NORTHFIELD — Authorities arrested a woman from Pennsylvania on Sunday following a vehicle chase that originated in Gill and ended in Northfield about 6 miles later, when the SUV struck tire-deflation devices.
When the SUV came to a stop, both the driver and passenger fled on foot and were apprehended by officers from the Gill Police and Bernardston Police departments.
According to Gill Police Sgt. John Richardson, only the driver, Jessica Weikel, 38, of Jessup, Pennsylvania, was charged, while the passenger was not.
Weikel faces charges of failure to stop/yield, a marked lanes violation, driving at a speed greater than reasonable, number plate violation to conceal ID, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, operating under the influence of drugs, possession of a stolen RMV document, forging an RMV document, failure to stop for police, stolen license plate and as a fugitive from justice, due to two extraditable warrants for arrest from Pennsylvania.
According to Richardson, at approximately 1:55 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, a Gill officer observed a black SUV occupied by two people turn north onto Main Road. The vehicle had a rear Delaware license plate that was mounted upside down. After running the license plate yielded no results, the officer attempted a traffic stop before the SUV illegally passed another vehicle in a no-passing zone, traveling around 80 mph.
The officer requested backup and the chase eventually crossed into Northfield. According to Richardson, Bernardston Police shut down southbound traffic on Main Road, and the SUV eventually struck the tire-deflation device near Northfield Mount Hermon School. After, the SUV continued on Route 10, turning east toward to the Connecticut River and pulling off to the side shortly after crossing the bridge over the river.
Both parties were apprehended after a short foot pursuit and were offered medical attention for treatment of minor injuries, Richardson said. They were taken to Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield and the vehicle was towed. A search of the SUV uncovered multiple altered and stolen license plates.
Weikel was held on $50,500 bail at the Franklin County Jail and House of Correction.
