Bethlehem woman charged with fleeing trooper at over 100 mph on I-78 in Berks

A Bethlehem woman led a trooper on a 10-mile vehicle chase on Interstate 78 in northern Berks County, reaching speeds of more than 100 mph and pulling over to avoid other drivers, Hamburg State Police said.

Dorian S. Wescott, 40, was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon after being pulled over in Bethel Township. Investigators said there was a strong odor of alcohol on her breath and an open bottle of brandy was found in the front passenger seat.

Wescott was charged with driving under the influence, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, reckless driving and speeding.

She was released pending a hearing after her arraignment Tuesday night before District Judge Stephen M. Chiffo in Reading Central Court.

According to the police:

The officer was driving west in an unmarked police car when an SUV passed him at a high rate of speed. The SUV sometimes entered and then left the traffic jam, but the policeman caught up with it and turned on the emergency lights.

Instead of stopping, the driver, later identified as Wescott, accelerated and began swerving around other vehicles, pulling onto the side of the road.

Wescott was taken to Hamburg station, where she refused to submit to a chemical blood alcohol test.