What started as a typical traffic stop over some missing headlights ended with an off-road vehicle chase down a popular Missoula riverside trail. Missoula Police Public information officer Travis Welsh says the incident began around 9:20 Thursday night.

"An officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 100 block of South Higgins Avenue, as it happened, another vehicle was in between them and pulled over thinking the officer had intended them to stop, which wasn't the case, when the officer motioned the middle vehicle to continue on its way, the vehicle he intended to stop continued also," Welsh said.

The officer pursued, trying to get the vehicle to pull over a second time.

"He followed the vehicle across the Higgins Avenue bridge and then attempted to stop it a second time," Welsh said. "Instead of yielding again the vehicle picked up speed and drove down Station Drive along the river and then on to the Kim Williams trail where it was eventually forced to stop. The woman driver was then arrested without incident."

In the end, Police arrested 26-year old Mary Hansen who now faces at least six charges including eluding a police officer, reckless endangerment, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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