A Leesburg woman sought for fleeing from a traffic stop last month was arrested at her home Tuesday night.
Hyla Christine Hanson, 52, was stopped by a Fruitland Park Police officer on May 28 after she was seen exiting the parking lot of Circle K, located at 100 West Miller St., in a blue Nissan. She turned right directly into the far-left lane and traveled westbound on West Miller St, completely bypassing the far right and closest lane, according to an affidavit of probable cause out of Lake County.
After the officer stopped Hanson on College Avenue, she approached the vehicle and asked Hanson for her driver’s license. As they spoke, the officer detected the strong odor of burnt marijuana emitting from the vehicle. The officer asked if any of the four occupants had a valid medical marijuana card, which they all denied, the affidavit said.
Hanson then advised she could not find her insurance, the affidavit said. The officer stated she would return to the vehicle to retrieve it after Hanson located proof of insurance. The officer returned to her patrol car and continued the investigation until another officer arrived on scene.
At that point, both officers approached the vehicle to explain that a probable cause search was to be conducted based on the smell of marijuana and none of the occupants having a card. The officers asked if there was any contraband in the vehicle or if someone previously in it may have left something behind, which Hanson denied, the affidavit said.
The officer instructed Hanson to step out of the vehicle, at which point she ignored the officer’s commands. Instead, she started fleeing in the vehicle southbound on College Ave, the affidavit said.
Due to the department’s pursuit policy, neither officer chased after Hanson. However, based on the proximity of one of the occupant’s residences, both officers headed toward that location believing the vehicle may travel there. It was at that time the officers observed Hanson not stopping at a stop sign located at the intersection of Rose Avenue and West Berckman Street, the affidavit said.
The affidavit noted that the officer still had possession of Hanson’s license, as the stop had not reached its conclusion at the time of the incident.
After Hanson was arrested Tuesday, she was charged with fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer. She was transported to the Lake County Jail and released after posting $2,000 bond.