Woman leads police on 27-mile chase with flat tire

BEAVERTON, Ore., Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Authorities in Oregon said they arrested a woman who led police on a 27-mile chase in a vehicle with only three working tires.

Sgt. Bob Ray, a spokesman for the Washington County Sheriff's Office, said a deputy attempted to stop a red 1999 Volkswagen seen driving erratically through traffic Thursday night in Beaverton, but the driver sped off, The (Portland) Oregonian reported Friday.

Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle using spike strips, but the driver continued fleeing despite the strips popping the car's front left tire.

Ray said the driver continued for 27 miles with the popped tire, leading the wheel to partially disintegrate and fluids to leak from the dragging undercarriage.

The chase ended when the Volkswagen collided with a deputy's patrol vehicle, causing minor damage and no injuries.

Ray said the driver, Jennifer Winklebleck, 43, was arrested. She did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol.

A fire broke out under the hood of the car during the arrest, Ray said. The flames were put out by deputies using fire extinguishers.

Winklebleck, whose reasons for driving erratically and fleeing deputies were unclear, was charged with attempting to elude, second-degree attempted assault, reckless driving, reckless endangering, attempted assault on a police officer and criminal mischief. She was ordered held in lieu of $40,000 bail.