Madison County Sheriff’s Office
Contributor
On Tuesday, Oct. 11, at approximately 1:15 p.m., Madison County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) Deputy Brian Bish was traveling east on Southeast Farm Road, enroute to conduct an illegal dumping investigation, when he observed a green Acura TSX driven by a male (later identified as Michael Montoya) and occupied by a female known by Deputy Bish to be Lacey Rusinko. The tag attached to the Acura was not assigned to the car, prompting Deputy Bish to notify Capt. Jason Whitfield, who was in the area. Capt. Whitfield got behind the Acura and noticed the occupants had switched seats and Rusinko was now the driver. Capt. Whitfield attempted to stop the Acura for the tag violation, however Rusinko turned onto Askew Avenue, quickly accelerating. At that point, Capt. Whitfield initiated pursuit.
Rusinko turned east onto Old County Camp Road and accelerated to 95 miles per hour before reaching the intersection of Rollercoaster Hill Road. The pursuit turned southeast and continued on dirt roads. Rusinko traveled east on Arrowhead Drive. Lt. Mike Maurice was traveling west on Arrowhead Drive in an attempt to get ahead of the pursuit but met Rusinko coming head-on, directly toward his patrol vehicle. Lt. Maurice was able to avoid a collision, as Rusinko drove around him. As the pursuit reached Apache Avenue, Rusinko turned north toward US Hwy 90. Lt. Bill Hart attempted to deploy a tire deflation device, but Rusinko was able to successfully drive around them before turning into the driveway of an unrelated property. Rusinko sped through the yard to the back of the property but was unable to continue due to reaching a tree line, thus ending the pursuit. Deputies quickly apprehended both Rusinko and Montoya without further incident.
Rusinko, of Greenville, date of birth Nov. 21, 1990, was arrested and charged with fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer with lights and siren activated, operating a motor vehicle without a valid license and attaching a tag not assigned. Montoya, of Madison, date of birth Feb. 21, 1993, was arrested and charged with driving while license suspended or revoked and possession of ammo by a convicted felon.