High-speed chase ends on Sparta St.
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Lawmen believe the suspect, Amber Kennan, was running for the simple reason she had no license, a traffic violation which is usually punishable by a small fine. Instead, Kennan faces additional charges of evading arrest, reckless endangerment, and an assortment of other moving violations.
“I can’t believe all the lives she put in danger over just not having a license,” said one officer after the chase came to a halt on Sparta Street near Three Star Mall.
The chase began in DeKalb County when Kennan, whose small vehicle sported temporary tags, refused to pull over for officers. She soon led the pursuit into Warren County where county officers took up the chase, meeting her on Smithville Highway and pursuing her into the city limits. Lawmen say Kennan was traveling at a high rate of speed and almost hit several cars head-on.
The pursuit continued into the busy lunch traffic around noon in the heart of the business district as Kennan turned left onto the bypass from Smithville Highway, leading police and deputies down the straight stretch toward the mall. At that point, police were going to attempt to corral her by funneling her onto Sparta Street where they could throw down spike strips in front of her.
Kennan was turned onto Sparta as she approached the mall, but spike strips were not needed as heavy traffic was enough to bottle her up on the two-lane portion of Sparta Street heading toward downtown. With an officer a foot from her rear bumper, preparing to turn her should she make another dangerous maneuver, Kennan came to a stop and was taken into custody.
A search of her vehicle revealed no reason, such as drugs or illegal merchandise, why she would be running, leaving police to believe she was afraid because she had no license. Evidence found in the car also suggested she had been living out of the vehicle.