Woman Endangers Child After Leading Deputies on Pursuit in Stolen Car

Whatcom County, Washington- The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office was involved in a  pursuit of a stolen vehicle just after midnight this morning that ended in a crash after spike strips were deployed. The incident started when the woman pictured  below stole a vehicle from a friend she was visiting while he was taking a shower.

According to a press memo from the Washington State Patrol, 19-year old Vernonica Cohetzaltitla of Bellingham led Whatcom County Sheriff’s Deputies on a pursuit.  She was traveling North on State Route 539, approaching River Road in a silver 1999 Chrysler 30o when the press memo says she struck the elevated concrete median and lost control of the vehicle. 

The press memo states the vehicle began to rotate and traveled across the Southbound lanes of State Route 539, jumped the Southbound Sidewalk, struck the concrete curb and rolled down a grassy bank.  The press memo states the vehicle came to rest on it’s top.

The press memo says the driver was injured and transported by medics to St. Josephs hospital in Bellingham. It was unknown if she was wearing a seat belt but the press memo states drugs or alcohol were not a factor in the crash.

 

 A passenger in the vehicle, 20-year old Jose Pineda of Bellingham was not injured but transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital as a precaution.  The press memo states he was not wearing a seat belt.

A 1-year old female  in the vehicle, who Troopers did not identify, was not injured in the crash  but transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital as a precaution.

The press memo states the cause of the crash is under investigation.

The driver was booked into the Whatcom County Jail for various charges.