Nazareth Woman Leads Colonial Regional Police on High-Speed Chase

A Nazareth woman was admitted to the hospital early Thursday for a psychiatric evaluation after allegedly leading Colonial Regional Police on a high-speed car chase and refusing to exit her vehicle, forcing police to smash a car window to get her out.

Sarah Richner, 20, of the unit block of N. Whitfield Street, will be charged via summons with fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, escape, careless driving, reckless driving, and driving without headlights, according to a press release.

Around 12:30 a.m. Thursday, according to police, an officer initiated a traffic stop on a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero because the vehicle’s headlights were not turned on. The vehicle was traveling west on Hanoverville Road in Lower Nazareth Township. 

According to police, Richner displayed odd behavior and fled, continuing west on Hanoverville.

Shortly after a second officer joined the pursuit, Richner stopped her vehicle in front of Dutch Springs. Police say she refused to get out of her car and hit the gas once again, traveling at a high rate of speed.

The officers pursued Richner to the intersection of Hanoverville Road and Flora Lane -- not far from Jaindl Boulevard -- where she was stopped by a third officer who deployed a Stop Stick Tire Deflation Device.

Officers were forced to smash the driver's side window to take Richner into custody, according to the press release.

A Colonial Regional officer injured his hand during the arrest. He was treated at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg and released.

Richner was also transported to Muhlenberg for a psychiatric evaluation.