BROCKET, N.D. — A 21-year-old woman from Devils Lake, Florence Whitetail, is facing several serious charges following a high-speed chase on Thursday, September 12, that spanned two counties and ended with a sheriff firing his weapon.
Whitetail is charged with reckless endangerment, fleeing police, and possession of a stolen vehicle after she allegedly led law enforcement on a dangerous pursuit, which culminated in her crashing a stolen SUV into a water-filled field northeast of Brocket, North Dakota.
Nelson County Sheriff Kurt Schwind attempted to pull Whitetail over in Lakota, but she fled, sparking the chase. During the pursuit, Sheriff Schwind discharged his firearm at the intersection of North Dakota Highway 1 and County Road 7, but no one was injured.
Prosecutors initially requested a bail of $2,500, but Whitetail’s defense attorney, Jeremy Curran, argued for her release on personal recognizance, citing her limited criminal history. Her prior record includes two misdemeanors and minor infractions since April, including underage drinking and a traffic violation.
Due to outstanding warrants, the judge ultimately set bail at $200. Whitetail remained in custody as of Monday, September 16, pending further court proceedings.