62 year old Susan Marie Thompson, of Laporte, needed help walking after leading police on a long and dangerous pursuit.
Liberty County Pursuit Ends at Houston and Church Street, LIVINGSTON, August 26, 2023 - Shortly after 7 pm on August 23, 2023, a pursuit that began in Liberty County entered Polk County via US-146. Liberty County Deputies were pursuing a white 1999 Mercury Marquis driven by Susan Marie Thompson, 62, of Laporte. The pursuit continued north-bound on 146 headed towards Livingston. According to radio traffic, Thompson was crossing from the north-bound lanes into the oncoming traffic of the south-bound lanes and reportedly clipped another vehicle. Trooper Johnny Wilkerson managed to successfully spike Thompson's front driver's side tire, but Thompson continued to evade. The pursuit almost made it to the intersection of Church Street and Houston, when Trooper Sean Barnes ended it. Trooper Barnes managed to execute a Pit Maneuver. A pit maneuver occurs when the police car pulls up to the rear half of the suspect car and turns his vehicle into the suspect car. This causes the suspect car to slide sideways and hopefully come to a stop. In this particular case, Barnes managed to spin the suspect car all the way around facing it's opposite direction of travel, then a Polk County Deputy pulled his unit to the front of the suspect car effectively blocking it. Chase over. Thompson APPEARED TO BE heavily intoxicated. Thompson was shaking and appeared to have a hard time walking. Additionally, Liberty County Deputies pulled a bag from Thompson's car with what appeared to be marijuana, rolling papers, and marijuana joints. To add to the strangeness of this story, Thompson had about five pet taxis in the back seat of her car (mostly containing cats and one small dog). With Thompson's physical condition seemingly precarious, an ambulance was summoned and Thompson was transported to CHI Livingston Memorial Hospital. Thompson is likely facing a list of charges. Thompson's vehicle was recovered by Smith Towing out of Livingston.
Officers surround 62 year old Susan Marie Thompson, of Laporte. Thompson had just led police on a dangerous chase for miles, nearly causing head on collisions.
Thompson appeared to be heavily intoxicated, was shaking uncontrolably, and could hardly walk.
State Trooper Sean Barnes ended the pursuit when he executed a pit maneuver on Thompson's vehicle ending the chase just before it could reach the intersection of Houston and Church Streets.
Earlier in the pursuit, Trooper Johnny Wilkerson successfully spiked Thompson's driver's side tire, but Thompson continued to evade.
Deputies pulled a baggy containing rolling papers, what appeared to be marijuana, and rolled joints from Thompson's car.
To add to the strangeness of this story, Thompson had about 5 pet taxis in her back seat cotaining cats and one small dog. Friends collected the pet taxis from Thompson's vehicle.
Katy was on duty for PolkCountyToday.com.
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