A 49-year-old Kansas woman was arrested over the weekend after Kearney police say she fled the scene of a physical disturbance at Camp Branch Marina on Smithville Lake and was later stopped while allegedly driving impaired.

According to Kearney police, officers were notified of the disturbance at the marina and learned that the female suspect had left the area in a vehicle headed toward Kearney. Minutes later, an officer located the vehicle on 92 Highway near Nation Road and conducted a traffic stop.

During the stop, police said the officer observed multiple signs of impairment. The driver failed standard field sobriety tests and later registered a blood alcohol concentration of .239%, nearly three times the legal limit.

Officers also reported finding open alcohol containers and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.

Police said the woman, who has three prior DWI convictions, was arrested on Kearney charges of felony aggravated DWI, careless and reckless driving, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

After she was booked on those charges, she was turned over to Clay County Sheriff’s deputies for their investigation into the reported disturbance at Smithville Lake.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Clay County prosecutors charged Raquel M. Tapia on June 12 after an alleged high-speed pursuit that began on northbound Interstate 35 and ended after a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper used a Tactical Vehicle Intervention.

Tapia is charged with aggravated fleeing, a Class D felony under Valentine’s Law, and driving while intoxicated, a Class B misdemeanor. The felony charge is punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The misdemeanor charge is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

According to police reports, the incident began when a silver Chevrolet sedan allegedly bypassed a traffic stop while traveling 93 mph in a 55-mph zone. After a trooper activated emergency lights, the vehicle allegedly accelerated and continued for several miles, reaching speeds of up to 114 mph while failing to maintain its lane and nearly striking several vehicles.

Investigators said the driver, later identified as Tapia, drove through a red light while turning eastbound onto 152 Highway, then turned southbound onto 291 Highway and reached speeds of up to 113 mph. The pursuit ended near 291 Highway and Leonard Street after a trooper conducted the intervention maneuver.

Police reports state that Tapia allegedly resisted arrest and repeatedly broke free from standard handcuffs, requiring officers to secure her with plastic flex handcuffs. Officers also reported observing multiple physical signs of intoxication and finding several open and empty alcohol containers inside the vehicle.

The court issued an arrest warrant and set Tapia’s bond at $75,000.

“An impaired driver who attempts to evade police creates an unpredictable and potentially deadly situation for innocent members of the public, other drivers, and law enforcement officers. The charges reflect the seriousness of that alleged risk,” Clay County Prosecutor Zach Thompson said.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.