PD: Infant in car during police chase

SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Officials say a woman had a young child in her car when she attempted to speed from officers during a traffic stop.

According to Diana Klink with the City of Suffolk, police tried to pull over a vehicle just after 10 a.m. Jan. 8 at the corner of Linden Avenue and Kilby Avenue for expired license plates and no high mounted break light.

Klink said once the driver, Jenna M. Poirier was pulled over, an officer smelled an odor of marijuana coming from the car. When the officer asked her to turn off her car, Poiriet instead stepped on the gas pedal and accelerated ahead. Two officers had to move out of the way to avoid being struck, according to Klink.

Poiriet then fled from the vehicle but was later arrested on charges of abuse and child neglect, obstructing justice and eluding police. Klink said an 11-month-old child was in the back seat of Poiriet's car the whole time.