Byron Woman Crashes in Rochester During Police Chase

A Byron woman who sent two people to St. Mary’s yesterday is expected to face a long list of criminal charges.  Police say 41 year old Marci Smith crashed her car into the rear of another vehicle at the 16th street intersection near Apache Mall around 6:15 last night while trying to get away from police.

Officers were pursuing her because of an assault that happened about half an hour earlier.  Police say Smith drove to the home of her ex-boyfriend in the 2000 block of 9th avenue southeast and got into a verbal confrontation with him and his girlfriend.  Police say Smith struck the other woman over the head with a pipe and then drove off.

Officers were called to the residence and while there, saw Smith drive by and gave chase.  The chase hit speeds of 70 miles per hour before Smith crashed.  She and a woman in the other car were taken to St. Mary’s for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Smith was later taken to jail.

The woman who was hit over the head was reported in good condition this morning. Police say Smith's ex-boyfriend had earlier obtained a restraining order against her.