A Morgan County woman was arrested on Aug. 20 after she tried to avoid a traffic stop at the behest of her passenger, who thought he was wanted in Putnam County.
Carvetta Lynn Williams, 27, of Madison faces charges of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, driving with defective headlights and failure to stop at a stop sign.
According to the report, Deputy Thomas Ptak saw a car with one of its headlights out turn right from Washington Street onto Main Street.
Ptak activated his blue lights, and the vehicle made an abrupt right turn onto Burnett Street.
As it did, Ptak noticed the passenger door open for a few seconds and then close.
Ptak then turned on his siren and followed, but the vehicle did not stop, instead running the stop sign at Burnett and Academy Street while turning onto Academy Street.
According to the report, the vehicle went through multiple intersections before finally coming to a stop at Academy and Hill streets.
Madison Police Officer Blake Rowe arrived and assisted with removing the people in the car.
According to the report, Williams initially told Ptak she did not stop because she was afraid and looking for a well-lighted area, but the pursuit actually began in the area of downtown Madison that is well-lighted.
The passenger told the deputy that he thought he might be wanted in Putnam and asked Williams not to stop. Williams eventually confirmed that version of events.
It turned out the passenger was not wanted, and his license was valid. A hand-rolled marijuana cigarette was found in the car and destroyed.
Williams was arrested, and the car was turned over to the passenger.