Mom Facing Several Charges After Ditching Kids During Police Chase, Stealing Car, Double Crash
LIVONIA (WWJ) - A 27-year-old Detroit woman is facing multiple charges after leading a wild police chase through Livonia, during which she allegedly ditched her car with her three children inside and stole another vehicle.
Police say the incident unfolded around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday after a Farmington Police officer stopped a vehicle at 8 Mile and Newburgh roads. The officer approached the vehicle and the driver identified herself as Ashley Dorsey, according to police. As the officer returned to his scout car to further his investigation, police say Dorsey fled southbound on Newburgh.
Livonia Police officers were called to assist and together, the officers chased after Dorsey for approximately a half-mile before terminating the pursuit. Police say Dorsey kept driving at a high rate of speed until she crashed into another vehicle at Newburgh and 7 Mile roads.
At that point, police say Dorsey ditched her vehicle -- leaving her three minor children alone in the car. She then stole a vehicle belonging to another motorist who had exited his car to assist with the crash, according to police, and fled east on 7 Mile Road.
Officers briefly pursued Dorsey again before terminating the chase just west of Gill Road. A short time later, Dorsey was involved in a second crash at 7 Mile and Farmington roads. Officers arrived and, after a brief struggle, took Dorsey into custody.
Both crashes resulted in minor injuries. The Livonia Fire Department transported Dorsey's children to an area hospital as a precaution. They were treated and released to a family member.
Dorsey was arraigned Wednesday in 16th District Court on multiple charges, including two counts of third-degree fleeing and eluding, two counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer, and one count each of unlawful driving away of a motor vehicle, receiving and concealing stolen property -- motor vehicle, third-degree child abuse, and operating on a suspended/revoked/denied license.
Dorsey was ordered held on a $500,000 cash bond ahead of a March 3 preliminary exam.