Police: Columbus woman fled in stolen car at 100+ mph

A Columbus woman is accused of fleeing from police at speeds of up to 100 mph while driving a stolen car.

A Columbus officer tried to stop a vehicle driving without headlights at about 2:25 a.m Sunday morning near Fifth and Washington streets. But instead of stopping, the driver took off, blowing through several stop signs and heading the wrong way down 10th Street for several blocks.

As the chase left the city and headed down U.S. 31, officers joined the pursuit from Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and Seymour Police Department.

Police say the driver went over three sets of tire deflation devices before finally being stopped on U.S. 50 near Seymour after striking a curb. 33-year-old Whitney K. Watkins was arrested on preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement in a vehicle, theft of a motor vehicle and reckless driving.