Lang
9/7/23
A Colorado woman is accused of flipping Johnson County Sheriff’s deputies her middle finger as she led them on a high-speed chase along Interstate 80 Wednesday morning.
According to arrest records, 33-year-old Melanie Schnell was fleeing westbound from law enforcement vehicles with their lights and sirens activated just west of the Rochester Avenue exit just before 11:45am. Her 2014 Subaru Forester reportedly reached speeds exceeding 25 miles per hour over the speed limit. Officers say Schnell made several unsafe passes, including passes on the shoulders. At times during the chase, she reportedly flashed her middle finger at pursuing officers.
Once in custody, it was determined that Schnell had expired Colorado plates and an expired Colorado driver’s license.
Schnell is charged with Felony Eluding, Operating a Non-Registered Vehicle and a number of traffic violations. If convicted on all charges, she faces a maximum of five years in prison.
Records show Schnell’s only other criminal citation in Iowa was for speeding in Dubuque County in 2022.