By Aileen Wingblad
The Oakland Press
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — A 25-year-old Warren woman is facing charges after reportedly fleeing from police during a traffic stop in Farmington Hills and later crashing her car.
It’s also alleged that she left a puppy in a construction site dumpster before she crashed because it was hampering her getaway — even though officers had abandoned the pursuit, police said.
Selena Maria Martin is charged with felony fleeing and eluding and misdemeanor driving with suspended license for the Nov. 8 incident that began during the evening rush hour, police said. According to the Farmington Hills Police Department, the case against Martin unfolded when she allegedly sped away from officers when they attempted to pull her over for a traffic offense on Haggerty Road near 10 Mile Road.
During a police pursuit that reportedly lasted approximately one minute, Martin allegedly wove between vehicles and drove into oncoming traffic. In the interest of public safety, officers reportedly terminated the pursuit because Martin was allegedly speeding, cutting off other vehicles and had driven through a red light.
She then drove recklessly for approximately six more miles, “endangering countless citizens of our community,” according to a news release.
Patrol officers in the area reported seeing Martin’s vehicle traveling more than 100 mph on M-5 and passing vehicles on the shoulder, then exiting at Grand River Avenue where she continued driving recklessly then headed northbound on Orchard Lake Road at more than 80 mph, police said. She was even spotted by Farmington Hills Police Chief Jeff King, in his personal vehicle at the time, who reported seeing her pass traffic in the right-turn-only lane in excess of 90 mph. He said there were no officers in pursuit or seen in the area at that point.
Moments later, Martin crashed into another vehicle on Orchard Lake Road just south of 12 Mile Road and then fled along with a passenger, later identified as a 14-year-old girl, also from Warren, police said.
The occupants of the vehicle reportedly hit by Martin didn’t report any injuries, police said.
Officers subsequently apprehended Martin and the teen girl, then learned that the two had abandoned a puppy in a construction dumpster “as it was slowing their escape,” police said. Dumpsters in the area were searched and the puppy was recovered, police said. It has since been adopted, police said.
“We’ve seen an alarming increase in the number of incidents of fleeing from police,” Police Chief Jeff King stated in a news release. “It’s concerning that even when police terminate a pursuit, the fleeing suspects still feel emboldened to continue their reckless behavior and put community members in significant danger. This type of dangerous, criminal behavior will not be tolerated in the City of Farmington Hills.”
Martin and the teen girl complained of neck injuries from the crash and were transported to an area hospital for treatment. The teen, who isn’t related to Martin, was eventually turned over to a guardian, police said
Martin was booked into the Oakland County Jail the next day and remains there, with bond set at $10,000 with a 10 percent provision. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 22.
Martin has two prior convictions for fleeing and eluding police.