A police chase involving a red Dodge Charger ended with the car overturned on its roof, and a 3-year-old child climbing out moments later. Authorities say the driver fled because her license was suspended and reached 80 mph in a 55 mph zone during the pursuit.
According to the report, recently released dashcam footage shows the red Dodge Charger failing to pull over for police earlier this year. The incident reportedly took place in March, with the pursuit unfolding on quiet rural roads rather than in a heavily populated area.
Police say the woman behind the wheel continued driving after the attempted stop, prompting an officer to pursue the vehicle. The chase escalated until the officer made contact with the rear of the Charger.
Instead of a traditional PIT maneuver, the officer appeared to nudge the Dodge from behind. That contact pushed the Charger toward a grassy area beside the road, where the driver lost control.
The car then slid across the roadway before flipping onto its roof. For loveral minutes, the Charger remained overturned as officers approached the scene.
Shortly after the crash, the rear door opened and the driver’s 3-year-old son emerged from the overturned car. The child appeared to be physically unharmed, but was visibly frightened and confused as he ran toward the police officer.
The woman then crawled out of the vehicle and reportedly told the officer she had fled because she did not have a valid license.
Dashcam audio reportedly captured the officer confronting the woman after she exited the overturned Charger. The officer emphasized that the chase could have killed her child and described the decision to flee as extremely reckless.
According to police, the suspect reached 80 mph in a 55 mph zone while attempting to escape. The crash could have had far more serious consequences, especially with a young child in the vehicle.
The woman was arrested immediately after the incident. She was charged with reckless driving, fleeing, driving on a suspended license, and first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor.
Because the Dodge Charger reportedly belonged to her boyfriend, she was also charged with unauthorized use of another person’s property to facilitate a crime.
