UPDATE: Austin woman pleads not guilty to several charges after fleeing fire scene
(ABC 6 News) UPDATE – An Austin woman accused of driving while intoxicated and multiple traffic violations after fleeing a fire scene pleaded not guilty to all charged in Mower County Court Monday.
Samantha Rae Ricke, 33, faces charges of 1st-degree DWI, fleeing police in motor vehicle, theft – take/drive motor vehicle – no owner consent, driving after cancellation, reckless driving, speeding, failure to stop at a stop sign and traffic regulation – following fire apparatus; and parking at fire scene.
Ricke is scheduled to stand trial on July 10, 2023.
(ABC 6 News) – An Austin woman is facing several charges after leading officers on a chase following an incident at the scene of an unrelated business fire.
33-year-old Samantha Ricke is facing charges of 1st-degree DWI, fleeing police in motor vehicle, theft – take/drive motor vehicle – no owner consent, driving after cancellation, reckless driving, speeding, failure to stop at a stop sign and traffic regulation – following fire apparatus; parking at fire scene.
According to police, while crews were on the scene of a business fire, Ricke drove around a squad car that was blocking off the street. She then entered the fire scene and drove up to one of the active fire hoses before stopping.
RELATED: Woman leads officers on brief chase after entering fire scene
Samantha Ricke. Mower County Jail
Officers attempted to talk with her, but police say she ultimately reversed at a high rate of speed squealing their tires as they exited the scene.
When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, Ricke stopped initially before once again leaving while spinning their tires out.
During a brief pursuit, a lieutenant conducted a high risk stop and gave orders at gun point to turn off the truck. Ricke looked at the lieutenant and took off again at a high rate of speed reaching speed up to 52 mph in a 30 mph zone. Austin police then terminated the pursuit.
A Mower County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed Ricke run multiple stop signs before driving over the boulevard and sidewalk as she attempted to go into the Mayo Clinic Health Systems parking lot.
The deputy followed the vehicle, when it suddenly swerved to left and collided into his patrol vehicle.
After the collision, Ricke exited the vehicle and took off on foot. The vehicle was not in park and continued to roll forward until it came to rest on a snowbank.
Ricke was arrested a short time later and taken to the Mower County jail.
She is scheduled to be back in court on February 27.