News headline from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department:

At around 8:00 p.m. on July 7th, Temecula Police officers responded to a family disturbance at a home in the 40000 block of Annapolis Road, near Harveston Lake, in Temecula.  The preliminary investigation revealed Patricia Louise Baskett (pictured right), 59, of Menifee, had been acting erratically and threatening family members.

A Temecula police officer saw Baskett driving her red Nissan Versa erratically in the neighborhood where the incident occurred.  The officer attempted to stop the vehicle but Baskett refused to yield and attempted to flee by running stop signs and driving recklessly at high speeds.

A pursuit was initiated due to the threat to public safety created by Baskett’s actions.  The pursuit continued into the city of Murrieta, where Murrieta Police officers assisted in attempting to stop Baskett.   The patrol cars eventually discontinued their pursuit and allowed the Sheriff’s Department helicopter to follow and monitor Baskett’s vehicle from the air.

Baskett continued to drive at reckless speeds, running red lights and swerving dangerously to pass other motorists.  Baskett eventually became involved in a traffic collision at Winchester Road at the I-15 overpass with two other vehicles who were trying to exit the freeway.

Basket sustained minor injuries, while the other involved motorists were shaken up but did not appear to be seriously injured.

Baskett was transported to an area hospital for treatment of her injuries prior to being booked at Southwest Detention Center for charges including criminal threats, felony evading a peace officer, and hit and run.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Temecula Police Department at 951-696-3000

Filed under Headline

Sunday, July 8, 2012

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