Joanna Wetzl

SLIPPERY ROCK — A Mercer County woman is accused of leading police on a late-night, high-speed pursuit that started in the borough.

Slippery Rock police allege the suspect, Joanna K. Wetzl, 34, of Mercer, also was intoxicated following the incident that began about 11:25 p.m. Saturday when they noticed her pickup cross the yellow line while she was northbound on North Main Street.

An officer, who was behind the truck, activated his emergency lights and siren.

The suspect “took off at a high rate of speed,” police said, with speeds reaching 82 mph.

The pursuit continued for about two miles, and went out of the borough, before she stopped on Mercer Road, police said. Wetzl, who smelled of alcohol, police said, admitted that she had a few beers earlier at a local bar.

She was subsequently arrested after failing field sobriety tests. Police took her to the Slippery Rock University police station for a breath test, which she refused. Police said when they attempted to put her in handcuffs, she resisted.

District Judge Sue Haggerty on Sunday arraigned Wetzl on a felony charge of fleeing or attempting to elude police and misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and driving under the influence. She also was cited for disregarding traffic lanes.

She was placed in the Butler County Prison and later released after posting $3,000 bond.