(Stephanie Diane Byrd arrest photo)

About 3:27 p.m. today the Livingston County Sheriff's Office was notified of a Carroll County deputy attempting to stop a northbound white colored SUV that was driving in excess of 100 and being dangerous to other drivers.  As the sheriff and two deputies were headed that direction to assist the Carroll County deputy reported having lost sight of the female driver in Livingston County on Highway 65 near H highway.

LCSO staff were stopped at the Grand River Bridge construction when a north bound white GMC SUV came speeding across the bridge being checked at 60 in a 35 with workers present.  Sheriff Cox was first to initiate emergency lights and siren and attempted to stop the vehicle.  The female rapidly accelerated and slowed to turn east onto U.S. 36 where the driver accelerated to speeds near 120 in a 65.  Traffic on U.S. 36 was unusually light but the suspect driver still made some bad passes, even passing two semi-tractor trailers that were side by side on the right shoulder.  A short while later in Linn County the suspect vehicle apparently blew the motor and the vehicle finally slowed to a stop about .8 miles east of Meadville Junction. 

The lone occupant was taken into custody without further incident.  Arrested was Stephanie Diane Byrd, 37, St. Louis for the alleged felony resisting arrest by flight, excessive speed 118 in a 65, 60 in a 35 construction zone with workers present and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.  Carroll County deputy sheriff issued Ms. Byrd a couple of additional citations for issues there. 

Ms. Byrd was transported to Daviess Dekalb Regional Jail pending filing of formal charges.  The suspect was not always cooperative with law enforcement.  Thankfully all worked out well.

LCSO was assisted by Chillicothe Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol.  Emergency Dispatch at Chillicothe PD did an excellent job of keeping all information and officers coordinated and working smoothly.

Sheriff Steve Cox