A Pinal County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to stop a vehicle suspected of DUI early Thursday morning because the car failed to stay in a lane. Deputies initiated a traffic stop at mile marker 190 along I-10 W.
According to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, the driver of the vehicle refused to pull over, and a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit went on for 20 miles with speeds reaching as high as 105 miles per hour. DPS troopers spiked the suspect’s vehicle, forcing the car to come to a stop at a gas station just off of Riggs Road.
Makensie McKeller, age 20, of Sierra Vista, was the driver and registered owner of the vehicle. Six passengers were in the vehicle. Five of those passengers in the car were undocumented aliens.
“Makensie McKeller claimed the five undocumented immigrants were her friends, yet she did not know any of their names. She picked them up at a fast food restaurant in southern Arizona and was heading to Phoenix.” Said Sheriff Mark Lamb, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. “McKeller not only put the lives of those undocumented aliens at risk, but she put the lives of law abiding American Citizens at risk as well as she attempted to flee from law enforcement.”
Mckeller is charged with Unlawful Flight from Law Enforcement, Reckless Driving, Exceed 85 MPH on a Highway, and Failure to drive in one lane. The five undocumented immigrants were transferred over to Border Patrol. The sixth passenger in the vehicle was released.