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High Mom With Toddler Goes On 120MPH+ Chase Over 20 Miles: PA State Police

A toddler is in the hospital after his 25-year-old mom got high and sent police on a 121-mile-per-hour chase across two Central Pennsylvania counties, state police announced on Tuesday.

A map showing the approximate route Acosta took during the chase and crash, according to the police.

A map showing the approximate route Acosta took during the chase and crash, according to the police.

Photo Credit: Google Maps (Satellite)

Ashley Lynnette Acosta of Steelton had warrants out for her arrest in Cumberland and Dauphin counties when police attempted to pull her over at around midnight on June 27, 2023, according to the police and court documents.

Several patrol cars began to pursue her on US Route 15 North in Lower Allen Township when she took off at speeds as high as 121 mph, according to PSP. 

Police briefly lost sight of her before spotting her on US 15 South in Adams County and a chase began— again, as detailed in the release. She merged onto Route 30 into Gettysburg and then crashed into a building near York and Liberty streets, the police explained. 

Police at the crash scene found Acosta "under the influence of marijuana" and "her 18-month-old son in the backseat without a car seat," as stated by the police. 

The boy was taken to the hospital but his condition is unknown.

Acosta was arrested on the following charges according to her court docket:

  • Felony Fleeing or Attempting to Elude an Officer. 
  • Felony Endangering the Welfare of Children- Parent, Guardian, or Other Commits Offense. 
  • Misdemeanor Recklessly Endangering Another Person. 
  • Misdemeanor Flight to Avoid Apprehension, Trial, or Punishment. 
  • Misdemeanor Driving Under the Influence, or Unsafe Driving/ 
  • Summary Reckless Driving. 
  • Summary Careless Driving. 
  • Summary Safety Restraints- Child Under Four Years Old. 
  • Summary Driving While Operator Privilege Suspended or Revoked. 
  • Summary Proceed Past Red Light or Stop Sign. 
  • Summary Exceed Max Speed Limit Established By 66 MPH. 
  • Summary Driving at a Safe Speed. 

Her preliminary arraignment was pending at the time of publishing, court records show. 

She also led police on a chase in Dauphin County on May 9, 2023, and was wanted on the following charges at the time of this incident, according to a previous court docket:

  • Felony Fleeing or Attempting to Elude an Officer.
  • Felony Flight to Avoid Apprehension, Trial, or Punishment.
  • Summary Driving without Lights to Avoid Identification or Arrest. 
  • Summary Speed Exceeding 35 MPH in an Urban District By 73  MPH. 
  • Summary Careless Driving.
  • Summary Reckless Driving.
  • Summary Driving Without a License.
  • Summary Driving at a Safe Speed.

Her preliminary hearing for that case is scheduled before Magisterial District Judge William C. Wenner at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, June 29, 2023, her docket shows.

She is also wanted for theft by deception, forgery, and bad checks charges in Cumberland County for a 2016 offense, according to another court docket. 

She previously was sentenced to probation for drug use, theft, and purchase of drugs/alcohol as a minor also in 2016. In those cases, she was sentenced to 30 months of probation total (12 months for the drug charges and 18 months for the theft) but the forgery incident appears to have occurred before she completed her sentence, court records show.

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