By Patti Weaver
(Stillwater, Okla.) — A Cushing woman accused of running a roadblock on Highway 18, eluding a sheriff’s deputy, and driving on a suspended license has been ordered to appear in court on Feb. 7 for arraignment on the three-count charge.
Leslie Diane King, 56, was released on a personal recognizance bond by a Payne County judge for medical reasons following her arrest at 1:48 pm on Jan. 25 at the Quail Crossing RV Park in rural Cushing.
Payne County Sheriff’s Deputy Zach Wheeler alleged in an affidavit, “After placing King under arrest, I asked King why she failed to stop when I attempted to pull her over. King stated, ‘She told me if she saw me driving again, she would arrest me.’
“I asked King who she was talking about. King stated a female Cushing police officer. King also stated she was trying to get the car back to her boyfriend’s house because he needs it for work.”
The sheriff’s deputy had been traveling south on Highway 18 from Scissortail Lane and looking for a dark Chevrolet Impala suspected in an earlier disturbance when he saw one traveling north, according to his affidavit.
The deputy alleged, “I turned around on Highway 18 just south of Scissortail Lane. As I was traveling north, attempting to catch up to the black Impala, it accelerated its speed.
“As we approached Deep Rock Road on Highway 18, continuing northbound, the vehicle passed another vehicle in a ‘No Passing’ zone going uphill.
“I initiated my emergency light to conduct a traffic stop for the observed violation. The vehicle failed to yield and continued to travel northbound. At this time, the suspect vehicle’s speed was approximately 105 miles per hour.
“While passing 56th on Highway 18, our speed was at approximately 114 miles per hour.
“Deputy Worrall had his vehicle positioned on the east side of Highway 18 at the intersection of 44th, just south of, in a position to deploy the spike strips onto Highway 18 as the suspect vehicle passed by. Both Deputy Hopper and Deputy Worrall had their emergency lights activated.
“As we approached 44th and Highway 18, the driver turned their right blinker, indicating an eastbound turn onto 44th from Highway 18. Before Deputy Worrall could throw the spike strips, the driver of the suspect vehicle cut through an opening to the east of Deputy Worrall.
“The suspect vehicle swerved off the roadway, avoiding the roadblock, onto the dirt parking area where Deputy Worrall was located and came within approximately 2-3 feet of Deputy Worrall — almost striking him.
“I continued pursuit eastbound onto 44th from Highway 18. This section of 44th is dirt and gravel, causing the suspect vehicle to decrease their speeds. The driver of the vehicle made a northbound turn into the Quail Crossing RV Park. I informed dispatch I felt the driver was going to stop somewhere in the trailer park and run.
“The driver pulled into the third driveway on the south and stopped the vehicle. I got out of my patrol vehicle with my service pistol drawn. I approached the vehicle and gave commands to the driver to get out. At this time, the driver, who was later identified as Leslie King, had the front driver side door open with her seat belt on.
“Deputy S. Hopper, Deputy T. Worrall and myself were all out of our patrol vehicle. In total, King was given commands to exit the vehicle five times before I reached inside the vehicle, took the seatbelt off her and pulled her to ground.
“While King was on the ground, Deputy Hopper and Deputy Worrall assisted me in maintaining control of King and placing her in handcuffs.”
