Officers with the DeFuniak Springs Police received a call of a stolen vehicle parked near the Exxon Station on U.S. Highway 90 West at approximately 4 PM Tuesday afternoon. When Officers tried to get the female driver out, she took off, almost striking one of the Officers.
Officers pursued the suspect, later identified as 25 year old Jessica Marie Harrington of Westville. Herrington sped up and tried to elude Officers by turning down city streets, eventually heading towards U.S. Highway 331 North. While making the turn onto 331 N., Herrington, drove the 2001 Chevrolet 2500 truck into a newer model Dodge Charger patrol vehicle. The Officer was able to recover and continue pursuing the suspect. The chase continued until just south of Kings Lake Road where she sideswiped another Dodge Charger, sending it out of control. The Officer was able to recover and rejoined the chase. The pursuit continued until the suspect apparently ran out of fuel just south of Highway 2. Officers and a Deputy with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office helped take Herrington into custody.
Herrington was charged by multiple agencies with Grand Theft Auto, Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Law Enforcement Officer, Aggravated Assault, Leaving the Scene of a Traffic Crash, and Possession of under 20 grams of Marijuana. Additional charges may be pending. “Fortunately this ended with no injuries to anyone, including the suspect. She is in Jail where she will have to explain for her reckless and criminal actions” said Chief Mark Weeks.