Woman Jailed After High-Speed Pursuit

In the early morning hours of Sunday (July 21st), the High-Speed Pursuit initiated by Gadsden Police, ended in Rainbow City – thanks to efforts of collaborative efforts of multiple agencies.  Officers were initially called to the Club View area in response to reports of a suspicious vehicle.  Upon attempting to stop that vehicle, the driver, identified as Stephanie O’Bryant, fled the scene and lead the officers on a high-speed chase that reached speeds in excess of 100 mph.

Rainbow City joined the pursuit on Rainbow Drive, providing additional support; the chase ended at the intersection of Highway 77 and Highway 411 where the suspect’s vehicle then collided with the Mapco gas station, striking the gas pumps and igniting a fire.  Officers acted swiftly to extinguish the fire and apprehend O’Bryant.

The Rainbow City Fire Department and also the Gadsden/Etowah County EMA/Emergency Management Agency – responded promptly to manage that fire and address hazardous materials concerns.

Stephanie O’Bryant, is in custody at the Etowah County Detention Center, and charged with DUI/Driving Under the Influence and Felony Eluding.

This investigation is on-going.