Mother, Son Arrested Following Ferndale Police Chase
FERNDALE (WWJ) - A Plymouth woman and her adult son have been arrested following an incident of road rage and a high-speed chase.
According to Ferndale police Det. Lt. William Wilson, this all unfolded Detroit Friday morning after 50-year old Latanya Tippet-Rhodes dumped hot coffee on another female motorist in a traffic dispute.
Both women flagged down a Ferndale officer in a parking lot at 9 Mile Road near Hilton — but Wilson said that's when 50-year-old Tippet-Rhodes sped off.
As police pursued her, she slowed down to let her 23-year-old son, Drake Rhodes, out of the car. The young man, who police say was dressed as a woman, sprinted across 8 Mile Road and was hit by a car.
Wilson said Rhodes tried to keep running after he was struck, but was apprehended and taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Police discovered there were warrants out for his arrest in Washtenaw County — including one for resisting and obstructing — and he was taken into custody.
When Tippet-Rhodes was eventually stopped by police she claimed to be having medical problems. While she was being checked out by EMS, she allegedly spit on an officer. She was taken to a local hospital and then arrested.
Tippet-Rhodes, too, had warrants; including two for assault. She arraigned Saturday on charges of fleeing and eluding, resisting police, and driving while license suspended. Bond was set at $75,000.
