Brownsville woman charged following police chase
A Brownsville woman is facing multiple charges after she led allegedly police on a high-speed chase across Fayette County in July.
Redstone Township police Officer Troy D. Rice said Carmen Smith, 39, of 6 Angle St. was charged by Magisterial District Judge Jesse Cramer with fleeing and eluding police, endangering the welfare of children, reckless driving and driving while suspended.
Rice said the incident occurred shortly before 1 p.m. July 24 when he attempted to stop a car driven by Smith following a traffic violation on Hill Side Avenue in Redstone Township.
Rice said he attempted to stop the car but Smith failed to do so. Instead, Rice said Smith continued to flee on Grindstone Road, Tippecanoe Road and eventually Route 51.
Once on Route 51, Rice said Smith stopped her car and Rice pulled his patrol car in front of her vehicle alongside the road.
When Rice exited his car, Smith drove in reverse across all four lanes of traffic and then fled north on Route 51 toward Perryopolis at speeds near 85 mph.
Rice said when Smith reached the traffic signal at the intersection of Tony Row Road, Smith cut across the intersection and began driving south on Route 51.
Rice said he pulled alongside the car while traveling at a high rate of speed and motioned for Smith to pull over, however, she refused to comply.
Eventually Rice said he was able to pull in front of Smith’s car and get it stopped and then boxed the vehicle in with a second patrol car.
Rice said Smith still refused to exit the vehicle and once she was removed from the car declined to give police her name and laid on the road.
Rice said that Smith, along with four passengers were not wearing seat belts during the chase and that one of the children was a small girl who should have been in a child seat.
A preliminary hearing will be held for Smith at a later date before Magisterial District Judge Mike Defino Jr.