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Distraught woman arrested after trying to elude police By AMBER FOSSEN Ashland Daily Tidings A distraught California woman led local law enforcement agencies in a reckless Interstate pursuit. Oregon State Police officers responded to a call from a motorist complaining that another vehicle was passing cars on the right shoulder of the freeway Monday afternoon. Three OSP units started after the suspect near milepost 30, finally catching the driver after Ashland Police Department officers spiked Interstate 5 at milepost 13. According to OSP Trooper Bill Matson, earlier attempts to stall the driver were unsuccessful. "Talent Police and Jackson County Sheriffs Department made unsuccessful attempts to halt her with spike strips," Matson said. "She drove out into the median into the grassy area to avoid them." The driver, Patricia Sexton, 50 of Sacramento, Calif., was apprehended after spike strips deployed at milepost 13 blew out the tires of her red 1998 Mercury Mystic. Sexton traveled another mile before police officials were able to arrest her. She was lodged in Jackson County Jail on charges of attempt to allude in a vehicle and reckless driving. The pursuit began around 2:50 p.m. near milepost 30 after motorists reported a vehicle driving recklessly south on I-5. According to APD officials, they were called in to assist at 2:59 p.m. and by 3:06 p.m., spikes they placed on the highway brought the chase to an end. The woman was traveling at speeds between 85 mph and 90 mph. Sexton passed a field sobriety test but it was inconclusive if any drugs were involved. Other factors may have contributed to her behavior, police officials said. "She definitely exhibited signs of being emotionally distraught," Matson said. "Basically, she had been in some type of verbal dispute with someone she thought was a close friend." Matson said the combined agency efforts helped the situation go smoothly and minimized risks to other motorists. "There's a certain point in pursuit policy where it could be terminated based on if the risk outweighs the pursuit itself," Matson said. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -