Deputies Sergeant David Ramsey, Randy Turner, and Adam Norris restrain 46 year old Marla Cowart of Chester.
Driver Who Was Allegedly Intoxicated Tried to Evade Police and Got Caught, LIVINGSTON, December 1, 2013 - At around 9:40 pm on November 30, 2013, Trooper Chad Seamans with the Texas Highway Patrol was patrolling on US-190 East around Darden Road. Trooper Seamans attempted to stop a blue Ford F-150 pickup that was west-bound. The driver chose to evade and kept going. With Seamans' sirens and full lights going, the driver, Marla Coward, 46, of Chester continued to ignore Seamans. Seamans radioed for help and in a matter of 2 minutes Sergeant David Ramsey, and Deputies Randy Turner and Adam Norris joined in the pursuit that continued towards Livingston. The chase entered the Livingston City Limits. Cowart approached the intersection of Business 59 and 190 (the courthouse square) and made a left turn onto Business 59, at that moment, Trooper Donny Akers successfully deployed spikes and spiked Cowart's front passenger's side tire. Akers quickly pulled the spikes after Cowart ran over them (to avoid spiking any pursuing police cars). The chase proceeded a short distance down Business 59 where Cowart finally pulled over (in the parking lot of Bokay Florist on Business 59 at Murphy). The deputies (Sergeant David Ramsey, Randy Turner, and Adam Norris) converged on Cowart's vehicle and placed her on the ground where she was cuffed and promptly loaded into a unit for transport to Polk County Jail. In less than a minute, Officers from Livingston Police Department were also on the scene and other Troopers. Marla Cowart was transported to Polk County Jail and charged with evading arrest, driving while intoxicated, and open container of alcohol. Her vehicle was recovered by Ken's Towing and will be stored at Harrison Body Shop in Livingston.
The chase ended on Business 59 at Murphy in the parking lot of Bokay Florist (next to the Appraisal District).
Trooper Donny Akers spiked Cowart's tires. She pulled over less than a mile after being spiked.
The spikes are designed to be deployed quickly, and quickly pulled back by a rope.
Beer cans (inlcuding an open beer can) were found in Cowart's vehicle.
Cowart was loaded into a unit and transported to Polk County Jail.
Cowart's vehicle was recovered by Ken's Towing.
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