CHESTERFIELD, Mo. – The Chesterfield Police Department is reminding the public of Valentine’s Law, which went into effect this year, following an incident earlier this month that involved use of the law.
According to the department, a business owner reported fraud on Oct. 10 and provided a vehicle description. When an officer located a car of interest along Interstate 64 matching the description, the officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
However, the driver of the vehicle proceeded to drive faster recklessly through high-volume traffic. The officer did not continue to pursue the vehicle due to the safety of other drivers, the department stated.
Eventually, the suspect vehicle stopped after crashing into another car. Three people who were inside the suspect vehicle were taken to the hospital for injuries.
Mya Powell is charged with one count of aggravated fleeing a stop or detention, otherwise known as Valentine’s Law. She is currently being held on a half-million-dollar bond.
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“If you commit the crime, be responsible enough to answer for your crime without putting others in danger or causing harm to yourself. This is a law in which no exceptions shall be made. This law also applies to those individuals who create a risk of injury while trying to avoid a traffic stop,” the Chesterfield Police Department said in their release.
The other two occupants, Markita Jackson and Sherrell Iverson, were released with a court date for their summons issued for stealing.
Valentine’s Law went into effect Aug. 28, creating a felony offense for drivers who flee from an officer during a traffic stop and creates a risk for another individual.
The law is named after fallen St. Louis County Detective Antonio Valentine, who was killed in December 2021 after someone fleeing in their car struck his unmarked police vehicle.
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