Woman Allegedly Drunk Flees Police by Car in Talsi Municipality, Crashes Into Trees and Runs Toward Cemetery

On 31 October, State Police officers in Talsi municipality, western Latvia, pursued the driver of an Audi who, according to a report received by police, was intoxicated and about to drive. The chase ended in a crash, after which the woman tried to escape on foot.

Report of an intoxicated driver

Police received information that an intoxicated driver was in a shop in Mazirbe and was preparing to set off in an Audi. The vehicle's registration number was also provided. Other people had tried to stop the woman, but without success.

Pursuit and crash

Officers of the Reaction Unit of the Ziemeļkurzeme precinct, part of the State Police Kurzeme regional department, switched on the beacon lights of their service vehicle and spotted the car beyond the village of Dundaga. They turned around and followed it to stop it.

The Audi driver turned onto a smaller road leading to Anstrupe cemetery and accelerated to 121 kilometres per hour. After a few metres the car began driving along the roadside and then hit trees.

Escape on foot

A woman got out on the driver's side and ran toward the cemetery. The officers stopped their vehicle and ran after her, shouting "Stop, police!", but she did not react and kept running. She was caught, and when an officer reached her, she no longer resisted and went with him to the service vehicle.

Signs of intoxication

Officers established her identity. Her breath smelled of alcohol and her speech was unclear. In conversation she admitted having consumed alcohol but refused to take an alcohol test. Beer cans, both full and empty, were visible inside the Audi.