A 36-year-old Leesburg woman with a long rap sheet was arrested for the second time in less than a month after a dangerous high-speed chase Tuesday night.
Kristen Lee Sailer, of 1525 N. Lakeview Ave., was charged with fleeing a law enforcement officer with no regard for public safety, grand theft auto, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license (habitual offender). Lake County Jail records show Sailer with 16 prior arrests, the most on Jan. 31 on a charge of grand larceny.
A Lake County sheriff’s deputy was searching the Tavares and Leesburg area for a black Dodge Neon that just fled from other deputies when he saw the vehicle traveling north at a high speed on U.S. Highway 441 near North Sinclair. The deputy tried to initiate a traffic stop near the area of Mount Homer Road for not having a registration tag attached to it. The vehicle failed to stop and took off at a high speed, according to the sheriff’s office report.
During the ensuing chase, the vehicle traveled over 50 mph at times, ran multiple red lights and passed in turn-only lanes on the right of flowing traffic. It was clear the driver – later identified as Sailer – was not concerned for anyone’s safety, including hers, the report said.
Sailer finally stopped on U.S. Highway 27, just north of County Road 42. As soon as the vehicle came to rest, she jumped out of the vehicle and tried to run away. Sailer was quickly apprehended with the use of a Taser, according to the report.
A computer search revealed the vehicle was stolen and that Sailer is a habitual traffic violator. The vehicle was searched and a baggie containing a crystal substance was found between the driver’s seat and the doorjamb. The substance tested positive for methamphetamine. There also were glass and plastic pipes with burnt marijuana inside, the report said.
Sailer is being held in the Lake County Jail on $8,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Lake County Court on March 22.
