A Flathead County woman has been charged with theft and criminal endangerment after leading police on a high-speed pursuit from the Flathead Valley to Essex that reached speeds of 100 miles per hour.
Raychelle Yvette Afseth pleaded not guilty to both felony charges in Flathead County District Court on Sept. 3.
According to court documents, a man reported his vehicle stolen at the Kmart in Evergreen on Aug. 20. Soon after, a Flathead County Sheriff’s Deputy spotted the vehicle on Montana Highway 35 and tried to pull it over but the driver sped away. Police followed the vehicle as it sped north on Montana Highway 206 before turning on to U.S. Highway 2 near Columbia Falls. Authorities followed the vehicle east and finally stopped it near Essex when they deployed a spike strip. Afseth was taken into custody.
If convicted she could face up to 10 years in prison and fines of $50,000.