High speed pursuit winds its way through Excelsior Springs

Excelsior Springs police briefly joined a multi-jurisdiction vehicle pursuit shortly after midnight Tuesday going into Wednesday.

According to Lt. Clint Reno of the Excelsir Springs Police Department, the chase began in Liberty and involved a vehicle reported stolen out of Grandview.

“We were notified the vehicle may be coming towards Excelsior on H Highway,” Reno said. “The vehicle was observed by officers on H Highway coming into the city, and a pursuit ensued.”

The chase continued inside the city limits until the vehicle left the city eastbound on Missouri 10, at which point local authorities called off their pursuit. However, the suspect’s vehicle was located by Ray County authorities a short time later and the pursuit continued westbound on Missouri 210 from Missouri 10 near Richmond.

“The Clay County Sheriff’s Department was able to deploy spike strips on the vehicle when it reentered Clay County,” Reno said. “The vehicle was then forced to stop and the driver—and only occupant of the vehicle—was apprehended.”

The suspect was identified as Kristi L. Hernandez, 33, Kansas City. Reno said Hernandez already had numerous warrants for her arrest and almost certainly collected some more charges in various jurisdictions during the chase. Excelsior Springs issued municipal court citations for careless driving, failure to stop for a stop sign, eluding an officer and driving while revoked. She was released on her own recognizance on those charges because there were charges pending in other jurisdictions.

By Eric Copeland • eric@leaderpress.com

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