A Pottsville woman led police in a high speed pursuit through multiple Schuylkill County communities Tuesday afternoon.
According to Pottsville Police Chief Richard Wojciechowsky, on 7/2/2109 police responded to a disturbance call involving Sheena Whitacre 34, of Pottsville, at the Children and Youth building on North Centre Street in Pottsville.
Around 4:45pm, Whitacre left the scene and officers observed her make a right on red, from Centre St. onto Laurel Blvd, in her Silver Honda Civic without yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Police attempted to initiate a vehicle stop in the 300 blk. of Terry Reiley Way when Whitacre made an improper turn in front of oncoming traffic and drove away north on Terry Reiley Way, fleeing into oncoming traffic. Whitacre then turned right onto Nichols St., while continuing to pass other vehicles by driving on the wrong side of the roadway into oncoming traffic.
Whitacre then drove to Millcreek Ave. and made a left turn to go north on SR 61, operating at a high rate of speed. Whitacre then made a left turn off of SR 61 onto Ann St. almost striking another vehicle. Whitacre then drove west on Ann St. and failed to stop at the intersection with Oak St., and the entrance to the Fairlane Village Mall. Whitacre continued to drive on Ann St. at a high rate of speed back towards Pottsville. Whitacre then approached the intersection of Nichols St. and Mill Creek Ave, where she failed to stop at another stop sign. Whitacre then made a right turn onto Nichols St., traveling west towards Centre St. When Whitacre approached the intersection with Centre St. she failed to stop before continuing through the intersection, almost striking several other vehicles.
Whitacre made a right onto N. Centre St. and then made a left turn onto Peacock St.
Whitacre then drove to Millcreek Ave. and made a left turn to go north on SR 61, operating at a high rate of speed. Whitacre then made a left turn off of SR 61 onto Ann St. almost striking another vehicle. Whitacre then drove west on Ann St. and failed to stop at the intersection with Oak St., and the entrance to the Fairlane Village Mall. Whitacre continued to drive on Ann St. at a high rate of speed back towards Pottsville. Whitacre then approached the intersection of Nichols St. and Mill Creek Ave, where she failed to stop at another stop sign. Whitacre then made a right turn onto Nichols St., traveling west towards Centre St. When Whitacre approached the intersection with Centre St. she failed to stop before continuing through the intersection, almost striking several other vehicles.
Whitacre made a right onto N. Centre St. and then made a left turn onto Peacock St.
While negotiating the turn onto Peacock St., Whitacre intentionally hit another vehicle with her vehicle, to avoid oncoming traffic. After striking the other vehicle, she continued to drive her vehicle west on Peacock St at a high rate of speed. At the intersection of Peacock St. and Walter Griffith Ave., Whitacre was stopped behind another vehicle. Officers then pulled a marked police vehicle behind her, at which time Whitacre put her vehicle in reverse and intentionally struck the police car which was occupied by two Pottsville Bureau of Police officers. Whitacre then fled again by driving onto Seltzer Rd. at a high rate of speed, continuing to drive into oncoming traffic.
Whitacre then drove into Minersville and through the intersection with 901 continuing at a high rate of speed through the intersection with multiple other vehicles at the intersection. Whitacre then drove on Sunbury St. to the intersection of 2nd St., where she became stopped behind another vehicle at which time Whitacre drove around traffic and continued west on Sunbury St. at a high rate of speed out of Minersville, once again driving in the oncoming lane of traffic.
Whitacre continued to operate her vehicle at a high rate of speed on SR 901 and then onto several local roadways. On Deep Creek Rd. at the Barry Twp. line , Whitacre’s vehicle slowed down and officers were able to surround her vehicle. Whitacre was then taken into custody without further incident.
A criminal complaint was prepared by Ptlm. Christopher Hamilton charging Whitacre with Felony Fleeing and Eluding, 2 counts of Felony Aggravated Assault, One count Felony Aggravated Assault, three counts simple assault and multiple traffic violations.
Whitacre then drove into Minersville and through the intersection with 901 continuing at a high rate of speed through the intersection with multiple other vehicles at the intersection. Whitacre then drove on Sunbury St. to the intersection of 2nd St., where she became stopped behind another vehicle at which time Whitacre drove around traffic and continued west on Sunbury St. at a high rate of speed out of Minersville, once again driving in the oncoming lane of traffic.
Whitacre continued to operate her vehicle at a high rate of speed on SR 901 and then onto several local roadways. On Deep Creek Rd. at the Barry Twp. line , Whitacre’s vehicle slowed down and officers were able to surround her vehicle. Whitacre was then taken into custody without further incident.
A criminal complaint was prepared by Ptlm. Christopher Hamilton charging Whitacre with Felony Fleeing and Eluding, 2 counts of Felony Aggravated Assault, One count Felony Aggravated Assault, three counts simple assault and multiple traffic violations.
She was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Ferrier who set bail at $20,000 straight cash and Whitacre was then committed to SCP, unable to post bail.
Wojciechowsky said no injuries were reported.
Pottsville Police were assisted in the incident by officers from Ashland Police, Branch Township Police, Butler Township Police, Cass Township Police, Hegins Police, New Castle Police, New Philadelphia Police, and St. Clair Police.
Wojciechowsky said no injuries were reported.
Pottsville Police were assisted in the incident by officers from Ashland Police, Branch Township Police, Butler Township Police, Cass Township Police, Hegins Police, New Castle Police, New Philadelphia Police, and St. Clair Police.