Turlock woman who led police on erratic pursuit also had child in back seat
PHOTO: Merced County Sheriff
MERCED — A Turlock woman has been arrested after allegedly leading police on an erratic pursuit while on drugs and with an infant in the back seat.
Just after 11 AM on Tuesday, August 20, a silver sedan shot past two officers at a high rate of speed, driving erratically on southbound Highway 99 from Livingston and almost causing multiple accidents.
The officers advised a deputy up ahead that the vehicle, swerving in and out of traffic, was headed his way.
When it passed him, he tried to pull it over but it continued on, reaching speeds in excess of 100 MPH.
Another deputy soon joined the pursuit, but it wasn’t long before the driver lost control and left the roadway, crashing on the railroad tracks.
The driver, identified as 24-year-old Aleigha Freitas, was quickly taken into custody. Deputies then looked inside the car and were shocked to find a six-month-old baby strapped in a child seat in the back.
Luckily, neither the baby nor Freitas sustained any injuries.
Freitas, suspected of having been under the influence of drugs during the chase, faces charges of felony evasion and felony child endangerment.
The baby is currently in the care of Merced County Child Protective Services.
