A Cincinnati women who injured a police officer in a chase and fled the state after being arrested will serve up to 21 years in prison.
Iesha Harris, 35, of Winton Hills, pleaded guilty to two counts of felonious assault and one count of failure to comply with a police officer on Oct. 20, according to Hamilton County court records. She was sentenced to between 17 and 21 years in prison after a February chase across state lines ended with a Cincinnati police cruiser flipping several times.
Prosecutors said she removed her ankle monitor and fled to Georgia after being arrested.
A voicemail to Harris' attorney, Darrin Nye, requesting comment on the sentencing was not returned in time of publication.
Police cruiser flipped after mounting trailer in chase
The Feb. 28 chase began after a Flock license plate
camera in Norwood spotted a tan Chevy Tahoe that Harris was known to drive. Harris had outstanding warrants, prompting a Norwood officer to watch Harris as she loaded a trailer in a parking lot.
Harris led police across Hamilton County into Indiana and then back into Ohio for more than an hour. Prosecutors said Harris struck three police cruisers, drove the wrong way on a highway entrance ramp and nearly struck several passersby throughout the chase.
Harris led a chain of officers down winding county roads. Dash camera footage shows Cincinnati officer Roger Epure was right behind her toward the end of the chase.
Harris had a trailer attached to the back of the Tahoe. Epure struck the trailer, causing his cruiser to end up lodged on top of the trailer. Harris began to cut the vehicle to the left and the right to shake Epure's cruiser off the trailer, according to dash camera footage.
Another officer attempted to stop Harris' Tahoe, which caused Epure's cruiser on the trailer to flip off several times. Harris then crashed into a tree and her Tahoe caught fire.
Both Epure and Harris went to the hospital with minor injuries, according to police.
Harris' attorney previously questioned why officers pursued her, despite the department's policy restricting police pursuits. He also claimed that the brakes in Harris' Tahoe may not have been functional, preventing her from stopping.
In a May court hearing, Harris yelled profanities and repeated claims that she was taken to Georgia by her boyfriend after being released on bond. She kicked a garbage can as she was being escorted out by deputies, breaking a large hole in the side. She was held in contempt of court for the outburst.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati woman sentenced for starting police chase, injuring officer
