Woman nabbed in high speed chase from Kalispell to Nyack

A high-speed chase ended on U.S. Highway 2 at mile marker 172 last Thursday afternoon when the woman driver careened into the woods near Nyack.

Raychelle Afseth allegedly stole the Jeep SUV Thursday morning at Kmart in Evergreen. The 29-year-old, who had an Evergreen address, was charged with felony criminal endangerment and theft.

A Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks game warden spotted the stolen vehicle traveling east on Holt Stage Road, Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said. A deputy attempted a traffic stop, but the woman drove off, so he started the pursuit at Holt Stage Road and U.S. Highway 35, Curry said.

The chase continued on Highway 35 east and then on Highway 206 heading north where law enforcement unsuccessfully attempted to stop her with two spike strips. They set up a third spike strip at the South Fork of Flathead River Bridge on U.S. Highway 2. The driver evaded this roadblock in Hungry Horse. Then Forest Service personnel joined the pursuit, Flathead County Undersheriff David Leib said.

Leib said that it was a “more effective pursuit” than others because the officers were spread out. Four Flathead County deputies were stationed in Essex for the Sheep Fire. They were able to set up another set of spike strips at mile marker 171 in a “safe location” where traffic could be blocked in both directions.

The driver was unable to avoid this roadblock, which shredded three of the vehicle’s tires. The woman then continued on three rims leaving tire fragments on the road. Law officers continued the chase at 55 miles per hour. They “nudged the rear end,” said Leib. This caused a loss of control and the vehicle left the pavement and crashed into the trees on the north side of the road.

The initial officer in pursuit said she was a transient, according to Leib.

“We typically consider the traffic conditions before starting a pursuit,” Leib said. “She didn’t get off on city streets … it didn’t seem that she was unduly endangering others.”

The woman was injured in the accident and taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center via the ALERT helicopter.