On Feb. 1, 2021, the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle traveling westbound on the Reno Highway with a possible destination of Wadsworth. The initial report was very specific regarding details of the vehicle as well as the fact that the operator of the vehicle was under the influence of illicit narcotics and had been hallucinating prior to driving. The caller also advised that in addition to the driver, the vehicle was occupied by several children.
Due to the extreme danger of having a motorist that was reported to be hallucinating and driving under the influence of illicit narcotic presents to other motorists on the roadway as well as to the children in the vehicle, members of the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office began searching for the vehicle on the Reno Highway. Additionally, The Sheriff’s Office notified the Nevada Highway Patrol and Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and asked for their assistance in locating and stopping the vehicle.
A member of the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office located a vehicle that matched the provided description traveling westbound on the Reno Highway near Bench Road. It was also noted that the vehicle had fictitious registration displayed. The Churchill County Sheriff’s Office deputy initiated a traffic stop by activating their overhead emergency lights and their siren near Carr lane. The vehicle continued to travel westbound and refused to pull over.
During this time the driver of the vehicle contacted the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office via 911 and advised that they were not going to pull over for the cop that was behind them. The deputy followed the vehicle with their lights and sirens activated. The vehicle yielded and pulled over in Hazen, having traveled more than 4 miles from the initial point where the traffic stop was initiated. During this time, the driver who was still on the phone with the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office dispatch could be heard instructing the other occupants to lock the doors and that she was not getting out.
Members of the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene to assist with the traffic stop, a Felony or High-Risk style traffic stop was initiated per department policy when a vehicle fails to yield and the driver refuses to comply. Verbal commands were issued via loudspeaker and the female driver finally exited the vehicle but continued to ignore verbal commands and instructions, and she was ultimately taken into custody without injury or further incident.
The driver of the vehicle faces charges including child abuse/neglect/endangerment, driving under the influence, use of a cell phone while driving, displaying fictitious plates (registration), and resisting/obstructing/delay.
The Churchill County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all those who contacted this agency with concerns about the video that has been circulating around social media asking for the rest of the story. This situation was very dangerous and tense and we are very glad it did not result in any injuries or worse for anyone involved.
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