FOREST ACRES, S.C. — A mother remains hospitalized after she was injured in a crash after Forest Acres police say she led officers on a chase Tuesday night.
Police say the suspect, 37-year-old Ashley Nicole Baker, attempted to run from from police after she was suspected of shoplifting at a shopping center in the Trenholm Plaza off Forest Drive. At the time, her four children were in her SUV.
Forest Acres Police said Wednesday her children were all checked out at the hospital and have been released. Baker, however, continues to receive treatment.
Officers say the incident began around 6:20 Tuesday when they got a 911 call of a shoplifting in progress. Police say two businesses were targeted, but did not identify the stores.
According to investigators, a Forest Acres Police officer attempted to stop her while she was still in the Trenholm Plaza shopping center, but Baker didn't stop and got onto Forest Drive. They said she then continued to drive down Forest before turning onto several side streets, including South Trenholm Road.
Officers said they had their lights and sirens activated.
At some point during the pursuit, Baker's SUV struck a Forest Acres police car on the side and the vehicle flipped over a brick barrier and into a yard, landing near the front of a home in the 4100 block of South Trenholm.
Officers say Baker then got out of the car and was taken into custody. While she's still hospitalized, police described her injuries as minor.
The children inside were all aged 13 and under, investigators said.
“It is miraculous these four children walked away from this accident,” FAPD Chief Don Robinson said in a statement. “Incidents like these also endanger our officer’s lives. Rest assured we will be looking at potential charges that uphold the fullest extent of the law.”
Forest Acres Police have asked the South Carolina Highway Patrol to investigate.