SMITH COUNTY, Texas — A New York woman learned exactly what "Don't Mess With Texas" means after being arrested following two multi-county chases on Tuesday.
According to the Smith County Sheriff's Office, on Tuesday afternoon, officers with the Mineola Police Department engaged in a chase with what they called a "reckless and possibly impaired driver."
The MPD followed the vehicle, described as a white Dodge Dart with New York license plates, into Smith County toward Tyler. The vehicle was able to get away from and the chase was called off.
At approximately 6 p.m., an alert citizen called in this same driver traveling east on I-20 from Highway 110.
A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper located the suspect vehicle at I-20 and Jim Hogg Road, traveling east.
At this time, a traffic stop was attempted, however, the driver would not stop and another chase began. The SCSO and a deputy constable also joined in on the action.
An SCSO deputy was able to set up "Stop Sticks" at I-20 and Highway 155.
As the suspect vehicle passed, the deputy deployed the devices, which resulted in deflation of three out of the vehicle's tires.
However, the chase continued east on I-20 until crossing the Gregg County line where the suspect finally stopped.
Ultimately the woman, identified as Diane Marie Bartoszak, 31, of New Windsor, New York, was taken into custody and booked into to the Smith County Jail.
She has been charged with evading arrest/detention with a vehicle. No Bond has been set at this time.
