Amy McSweeny

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What began as a routine patrol on an otherwise quiet day took a dramatic and dangerous turn when the Franklinton Police Department received a call about a Signal 99, law enforcement lingo for an erratic or dangerous driver, approaching town.

The vehicle in question was soon spotted by a couple of sharp-eyed officers near the Hi-Way-Pak, a familiar local spot where folks might usually stop for snacks, bait, or maybe even some of Richard Massey’s famous crawfish. But this driver wasn’t in the mood for mud bugs or “meeners.” Instead, she was about to turn a small-town afternoon into a high-stakes chase.

Upon attempting to make contact with the suspect, identified as Amy McSweeny, a white female, officers were met with a troubling and dangerous response. McSweeny chose not only to ignore officers’ commands but escalated the situation by intentionally ramming one of the police vehicles.

That wasn’t the end of it.

McSweeny then led officers on a high-speed pursuit down Highway 16, only to ram into the same police unit she had already struck. As one observer noted, “might as well get your money’s worth,” though in this case, it came at the cost of safety, property damage, and a long list of criminal charges.

To prevent further risk to the public, officers executed a P.I.T. maneuver, a controlled technique to stop fleeing vehicles, not to be confused with a NASCAR-style pit stop. The move brought the chase to an end and McSweeny into custody.

She now faces multiple felony charges, including:

• Aggravated Flight from an Officer

• Aggravated Assault with a Vehicle on an Officer

• Obstruction of Commerce/Roadway – Aggravated

• Intentional Littering

• Criminal Damage to Property – Aggravated

• Contempt of Court

• Driving While Intoxicated – 1st Offense

Bond has been set at $152,500.

While all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the incident has sparked serious concern within the community.

In a statement following the arrest, Chief Brown remarked:

“ This was idiotic, dangerous, and stupid. The many lives that were put at risk during this foolishness is atrocious. I hope her eventual punishment matches the damage she has done and she spends a lengthy period of time, confined, where she can dwell on it.”

The Franklinton Police Department is being commended for their swift and professional response to a high-risk situation. Thanks to their actions, no civilians or officers were injured, and the threat was neutralized without further escalation.

Great job, officers.

Residents are reminded to report dangerous driving immediately and to always obey lawful orders from law enforcement for the safety of all.