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Elizabeth Branch, a 39-year-old female from Kingston is facing charges after leading police on a chase. Courtesty photo
A Kingston woman is facing charges for allegedly leading police on a chase. The arrest stemmed from a call to Marshall County Dispatch about an erratic driver who was later identified as Elizabeth Branch. Kingston Police OfficerHeaddingreceivedthe call and traveled eastbound toward the Roosevelt Bridge to check things out.
Headding passed a pack of vehicles, then made a U-turn to head back toward Kingston. According to his police report, he observed the lead vehicle of the pack crossing over the yellow line. Somewhere near US-70 and Kay Circle, he saw the vehicle cross the yellow line and enter the oncoming traffic.
Headding activated his emergency lights and fell in behind the vehicle. The suspect failed to yield to the officer’s emergency lights, so Headding activated his siren and called in the pursuit at US-70 and Main Street. At this point, the vehicle blew through the red light at the intersection.
The pursuit continued northbound on US-70 at speeds between 55 and 70 miles per hour. Even though itwasamedium-speedchase, itwasstilldangerousbecause Branch was allegedly travelling in the traffic’s oncoming lane several times and even forced a vehicle off the road near the railway trussell entering Madill.
At this point, Madill Police Officers joined the pursuit and set up spike strips at US-70 and Hwy 106. The deployment was successful, and the spikes deflated both driver’s side tires.
Branch didn’t let the flat tires slow her down much. She activated her left turn signal and turned left on Smiley Road. A few moments later, the vehicle came to a stop approximately a half of a mile past Walmart.
Once the vehicle came to a stop, Headding, along with OfficersMorgan,Conwayand Showalter, approached the vehicle, giving Branch commands. Morgan opened the driver’s door and no longer feelingthreatened,Headding holstered his weapon and assisted in placing Branch in custody.
Not only was the suspect’s manner and fact that she smelled of alcohol indicative to being under the influence, Headding saw multiple opened containers of alcohol and even a few unopened ones.
Headding read Branch the Implied Consent, but she refused taking the State’s Test.However,Headdinghad enough sufficient probably cause to book Branch into the Marshall County Jail for DUI, Eluding Officers While Endangering Others, Transporting an Open Container and Obstruction. An online search found that Branch, a 39-year-old femalehasapriorforDUI,No Seatbelt and Failure to Yield.