Woman leads cops on chase

Published 12:05 am Wednesday, April 27, 2016

A McDavid, Fla., woman led Atmore police officers on a high-speed chase that ended in her arrest late Sunday night.

According to the APD, Tabatha Boutwell, 36, was driving a Chevrolet Colorado that was stolen from Escambia County, Ala., earlier in the week.

Chief Chuck Brooks said his officers attempted a traffic stop on Highway 31 west at approximately 10:30 Sunday night.

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Brooks said Boutwell was pulled over for having an expired tag, wearing no seatbelt and having no tag lights.

“The tag was ran and did not come back to the vehicle,” Brooks said. “After attempting to initiate the traffic stop, the vehicle sped off at a high rate of speed.”

Brooks said while attempting to stop the vehicle, Boutwell swerved into patrol units several times to try and run them off the roadway.

“She continued at a high rate of speed while ignoring traffic controls,” he said. “After a short time, the driver turned onto a dirt road causing the vehicle to begin to swerve, at which time the driver lost control and wrecked the vehicle.”

Brooks said Atmore Ambulance arrived on scene, where the driver and two minor passengers needed treatment.

Brooks said the accident occurred just inside of Florida and was worked by the Florida Highway Patrol and deputies with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, where Boutwell, was arrested for reckless driving. She was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Florida.

Brooks said charges are pending for Boutwell for attempting to commit murder, receiving stolen property, attempting to elude a police officer and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.