Body camera and dash camera video released Thursday shows the chaotic end of a high-speed Interstate 80 pursuit that topped 120 mph that authorities say ended with a wanted Wyoming woman getting struck by her own moving vehicle as she bailed out of it.
The Albany County Sheriff's Office reports chase began around 6:25 p.m. Saturday after a sheriff’s sergeant spotted a stolen vehicle traveling eastbound near mile marker 323 on Interstate 80 in Albany County.
Authorities identified the driver as Sarah Grazin, 45, who deputies said was tied to multiple felony warrants out of Sublette County. Law enforcement alerts also reportedly warned officers she had a history of fleeing police, violent behavior and narcotics use.
Investigators said Grazin was also considered a suspect in a recent vehicle burglary and larceny case in Laramie.
In a Facebook post featuring dashcam video of the end of the pursuit, the Albany County Sheriff’s Office plays the 1997 pop hit “Tubthumping” by Chumbawamba at its famous refrain, “I get knocked down, but I get up again” as the woman hits the pavement, then gets up to run from officers.
‘Don't Flee From The Police'
At first, deputies simply followed the vehicle while waiting for more units to help with a stop, but once officers tried to pull the vehicle over, authorities say Grazin punched it and took off down I-80, at times topping 120 mph.
An Albany County deputy and a Laramie Police Department officer eventually deployed stop sticks, flattening two tires on the fleeing vehicle.
Even then, the chase kept going, hitting speeds over 100 mph with two flat tires.
Albany County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Jeff Beeston said pursuits like Saturday’s are uncommon, but not rare.
The pursuit finally came apart near mile post 348 just off I-80 in Laramie County when the vehicle crashed.
Then the video shows Grazin trying to get out of the still-moving vehicle moments after the crash.
Authorities say she ended up getting clipped by her own vehicle while trying to make a run for it. Officers quickly caught her, and reported that she sustained only minor injuries.
“Don’t flee from the police,” said Beeston when asked what message he hopes people will take away from the video.
Grinding Metal, Flying Sparks
Retired law enforcement officer Frank Groth said what happened during the chase — even the vehicle continuing at extreme speeds on ruined tires — is something officers around the country have seen before.
“You see people who are running from the police, and they'll get a tire or two, or sometimes even all four taken out by stop sticks, and they will keep going,” Groth told Cowboy State Daily.
Groth, who now lives in Gillette, said he has seen pursuit video where tires completely disintegrated and fleeing drivers kept barreling down the road anyway.
“All that's left is the brake on the end of the axle and it's just grinding into the pavement and they're still doing 80, 90, 100 mph,” he said.
Groth said pursuits like this carry major risks for officers and the public, especially the deputies deploying stop sticks on the interstate.
“There have been a number of officers who have been seriously injured and killed deploying stop sticks,” Groth said. “Just getting them out there sometimes puts the officer in a very bad place.”
He added that suspects jumping from moving vehicles is unusual, but far from unheard of.
“It’s not an all-the-time thing, but it certainly has happened that drivers or passengers trying to foot bail get hit by their car, which they leave in gear and it’s still moving,” Groth said.
Long List Of Charges
A passenger in the vehicle, identified as Justin Coulston, remained inside the vehicle and complied with commands from law enforcement, according to the Albany County Sheriff’s Office.
Grazin was arrested on numerous alleged offenses, including felony warrants from Sublette County, possession of stolen property, eluding law enforcement, aggravated assault, reckless driving, speeding, controlled substance violations, larceny, vehicle burglary and multiple additional traffic and criminal charges.
Coulston was arrested on allegations of meth and marijuana possession.
Authorities said the stolen vehicle was recovered.
Grazin had her first appearance in Albany County Circuit Court on Tuesday and is being held on a $12,000 bond, the court confirmed Thursday. A preliminary hearing on her charges has been set for June 2.
Contact Kolby Fedore at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com
Kolby Fedore can be reached at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com.
