Barbara Rivers was charged with felony evasion of arrest.
Determined Not to Stop, Driver Runs Vehicles Off the Road in High Speed Chase Right Through Town, LIVINGSTON, March 22, 2009 - At approximately 8 pm on March 22, 2009, Deputy Billy Duke with the Polk County Sheriff's Office spotted a dark green Mercury Villager Mini-Van. The van was traveling north on US-146 at a high rate of speed 2 miles south of FM-1988. When Duke attempted to pull the van over, the driver, Barbara Jean Rivers, 49, of Goodrich refused to stop. The driver had her hazards on but refused to cooperate or signal any communication to Duke. Rivers increased her speed dramatically to speeds of nearly 100 mph. Duke continued to pursue Rivers and radioed for help. As the chase progressed, Rivers ran several vehicles and a motorcycle off the road and was endangering the lives of other motorists. Soon, Deputies Lee Rogers and Sergeant William Jerry joined in the chase. According to Jerry, a major concern was the intersection of 146 and 190 in Livingston where heavy traffic is a daily constant. Jerry stated that as they passed Valero on 146 and rapidly approaching the intersection, their speed was 85 mph. "Fortunately the light was green when she went through and no major accident occurred" Jerry said. After the chase passed through the intersection, Duke, Jerry, and Rogers were able to "Box" Rivers' vehicle and force her to stop. Rivers was immediately apprehended, cuffed and taken to Polk County Jail and booked in and charged with felony evasion of arrest. According to Jerry, Rivers said she was going to the hospital to check on her mother. The Polk County Sheriff's Office checked with Livingston Memorial and it was learned that her mother was checked in with breathing problems but her mother was in no life threatening situation.
Sergeant William Jerry investigates.
Deputy Lee Rogers was one of three Deputies involved in defusing a dangerous situation.
Rivers' van was towed by Harwood Wrecker Service in Livingston.
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