UPDATE, 9 a.m.: Salem Deputy Police Chief Shawn Patten did not have an update on Mawhinney's condition but said police are awaiting the results of her blood tests to determine if that will effect the charges against her.
Patten said the stop sticks were deployed as a means of making sure the pursuit ended safely.
UPDATE, 8:30 a.m.: The Eagle-Tribune is reporting Esmeralda Mawhinney, 43, was charged with driving while intoxicated and disobeying a police officer after leading police on a low-speed, three-town chase through Derry, Windham and Salem that ended in front of the former Ultimate Electronics property on South Broadway in Salem early Friday.
Find out what's happening in Windhamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Salem Police told the paper they deployed "stop sticks," or rubber strips with spikes, to end the chase, after which Mawhinney's tires deflated and she crashed at low speed into a telephone pole. The paper reported Mawhinney was then taken to Parkland Medical Center in Derry for testing.
EARLIER STORY: A series of news alerts earlier this morning reported a police chase on Route 28 traveling through Windham and Salem.
Find out what's happening in Windhamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
According to one of the alerts, the incident involving a Toyota vehicle was possibly DUI-related.
Reports also indicated that a successful deployment of spikes took place, but a hospital transport to Parkland Medical Center was needed for an unknown condition.
The first report of the incident took place just after 5 a.m., with spike strips reportedly deployed about 10 minutes later.
We will have more on this story as it becomes available.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
