KNOXVILLE (WATE) - A woman is facing DUI and other charges after she crashed her car Wednesday night while leading officers on a high-speed chase in Knox County.
The chase began about 9 p.m. when a sheriff's deputy was stopped at a red light on Chilhowee Drive at Asheville Highway.
The sheriff's office said Crystal Danielle Braden, 27, who was driving a red Mitsubishi Eclipse, passed the officer and ran the light.
Braden sped away when the officer tried a traffic stop and merged onto eastbound Interstate 40. The sheriff's office said she continued to accelerate over 110 miles per hour, driving in and out of traffic and onto the shoulder numerous times, even cutting off a tractor trailer.
The pursuit lasted for four minutes. The sheriff's office terminated it due to safety concerns. Braden also had a passenger in the car.
Braden took the exit ramp at Midway Road, lost control of the car and crashed into the woods. The unknown passenger fled on foot.
Braden was taken to UT Medical Center for treatment of injuries.
She's charged with evading arrest, driving without a license in possession, reckless driving, reckless endangerment, criminal impersonation, driving with no car insurance, second DUI and unlawful drug paraphernalia.
The sheriff's office report said Braden had marks on her arm suggesting intravenous drug use and hypodermic needles in her purse.
She has a criminal history in Knox County including shoplifting and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Braden also has an outstanding warrant for theft in Sevier County and a 2009 DWI conviction in Georgia.
A wrecker pulls the car involved in a high-speed chase out of a wooded area where it crashed.
Crystal Danielle Braden (source: Knox County Sheriff's Office)
