Crime & Safety

Police: Traffic Circle Foils Keansburg Woman in High-Speed, Multi-Town Chase

Michelle D. Zahner led authorities on a chase from Holmdel to Wall Township--where she lost a front tire--then back to the Bayshore, Holmdel police said.

A Keansburg woman led authorities on a high-speed chase through several Monmouth County towns early Monday morning, according to a press release issue by the Holmdel Township Police Department.

Patrolman Jonathan Martin attempted to stop a blue Ford missing license plates on Laurel Avenue at 1:52 a.m. The driver of the vehicle, Michelle D. Zahner, 31, allegedly failed to stop for the officer, who pursued the vehicle down Laurel Avenue and into Keansburg. The car stopped twice but police said Zahner sped off when Martin stepped out of the vehicle.

Zahner allegedly turned back down Laurel Avenue and fled onto the Garden State Parkway. Holmdel police said Zahner was observed throwing items out of the driver's side window during the parkway portion of the chase. Zahner exited the parkway at exit 100A, where she led police through several towns before losing the passenger's side tire on the Route 34 traffic circle in Wall Township, according to the press release.

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Zahner's vehicle was clocked at a speed of 96 MPH during the chase, authorities said

The pursuit continued on Route 34 until it reached Old Bridge. Zahner then allegedly traveled along Route 9, Route 35 and Route 36, passing through Hazlet and Middletown, Holmdel police said.

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The Middletown Police Department placed stop sticks on the roadway at the intersection of Route 36 and Palmer Avenue. As Zahner passed through the intersection, her vehicle hit the stop sticks, causing the driver's side front tire to blow out, according to authorities. With no front tires, the car traveled another mile before it stopped in the area of Thompson Avenue in Middletown.

Martin arrested Zahner with the help of Patrolman Jeffrey Todd. Zahner was charged with eluding police and 16 motor vehicle charges include reckless driving and speeding. She will face other motor vehicle charges from other municipalities, the Holmdel Township Police Department release stated.

New Jersey State Police and police from Aberdeen, Colts Neck, Hazlet, Matawan, Middletown Township, Keansburg, Keyport, and Old Bridge Township assisted in the chase.

Zahner was remanded to Monmouth County Correctional Insitution on $40,000 bail.


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