A 19-year-old driver is facing charges after police say she sped away from an officer in Maricopa, crashed into a median and fought officers during her arrest, according to InMaricopa and court records.
Police said the incident happened around 6:48 a.m. Oct. 24 near John Wayne Parkway and Bowlin Road. An officer responding to a call saw a vehicle take off at speed, then crash into a median and continue swerving until the front passenger-side tire blew out near Alterra Parkway.
According to the probable cause statement, the officer identified the driver as Destini Freeman and smelled alcohol when approaching her. Police said Freeman refused to get out of the vehicle at first and then tried to run.
A second officer helped detain Freeman, and police said she pushed, pulled and kicked officers while they tried to handcuff her. A passenger told police the group had been drinking and said Freeman was also under the influence of cocaine, while court records show lab results later confirmed alcohol and cocaine in her system.
Freeman was booked into Pinal County Jail and charged with unlawful flight from a pursuing law enforcement vehicle, a Class 5 felony, and first-offense DUI involving liquor, drugs or vapors, a Class 1 misdemeanor, according to court records.
