August 22, 2023 |
Photo – Crashed motorcycle after chase – Courtesy WHP
A high-speed motorcycle pursuit on I-80 last week ended with the suspect crashing.
On the evening of Monday, August 14th, Wyoming Highway Patrol clocked a green Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle doing 110 miles per hour. The suspect, Anna Rutherford-Falconer of New Zealand, was traveling eastbound on Interstate 80 near the Elk Mountain exit. When the Trooper initiated a traffic stop, the rider sped up and attempted to flee.
Trooper Ryan Gerdes was the second officer to respond to the pursuit. Trooper Gerdes said Wyoming Highway Patrol was able to quickly block the exits along I-80 to keep the suspect on the highway and out of Laramie.
Trooper Gerdes said construction at the Laramie exit forced him to slow down and lose sight of the suspect. Gerdes said another Highway Patrol trooper was waiting on the other side of the construction zone to continue chasing Rutherford-Falconer.
Trooper Gerdes said the pursuing officer was able to keep up with Rutherford-Falconer until she crashed while attempting to leave the highway at the Vedauwoo Recreation Area exit. Gerdes said he doesn’t know why the suspect lost control.
Trooper Gerdes said following the crash, Wyoming Highway Patrol provided medical aid to Rutherford-Falconer. Gerdes said the suspect peacefully surrendered and was transported to Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie. Trooper Gerdes said he doesn’t know the extent of the suspect’s injuries.
Trooper Gerdes said during the pursuit, Rutherford-Falconer regularly traveled at speeds above 150 miles per hour, with a top speed of 168. Gerdes said Rutherford-Falconer’s life was saved because she was wearing the proper motorcycle safety equipment.
Trooper Gerdes said Rutherford-Falconer received five citations following the high-speed pursuit. The suspect faces charges of speeding, reckless driving, reckless endangering, failure to maintain a single lane of travel, and a lane change violation.
The trooper wanted to thank the other law enforcement agencies responsible for bringing the chase to an end. Gerdes said the other officers helped keep Rutherford-Falconer from escaping.
Trooper Gerdes said only Rutherford-Falconer was injured in the chase. No other vehicles, aside from the suspect’s motorcycle, were damaged. Trooper Gerdes said Rutherford-Falconer’s motivation to flee is unknown.
