Driver flees officers attempting traffic stop for equipment violation, dies in rollover accident

44-year old Flagstaff woman refuses to stop for officers, rolls vehicle over on Lake Mary Road

Flagstaff, AZ – On Tuesday,  August 16,  44-year-old Ella Mae King of Flagstaff died as the result of injuries she sustained during a single vehicle rollover collision as officers were attempting to stop her vehicle.

At approximately 8:35 p.m. Flagstaff Police officers observed a vehicle with an equipment violation and attempted to stop the vehicle as it turned onto Lake Mary Road .  The driver of the truck failed to yield to the officers’ attempt at a traffic stop and accelerated above the speed limit away from the officers.

The officers continued to follow the vehicle attempting to stop it.  When the vehicle reached JW Powell Boulevard , it was apparent the driver was not going to yield, so the officers discontinued the attempt to stop.  Flagstaff Police officers briefed a Coconino County Sheriff’s sergeant regarding the driving behavior and vehicle description.  The sergeant drove east bound on Lake Mary Road attempting to locate the vehicle.  He observed the vehicle approximately 20 minutes later driving west bound on Lake Mary Road , exceeding the speed limit by approximately seven miles per hour as measured by radar. 

The Sheriff’s Sergeant turned his vehicle around and engaged his emergency lights in attempt to stop the vehicle.  As soon as the driver observed the marked vehicle King accelerated and shortly thereafter lost control of the vehicle causing it to roll over at least once. She was ejected from the vehicle and it rolled over on her.  Sheriff’s deputies immediately administered life saving medical aid.  She was subsequently transported to Flagstaff Medical Center a Level One Trauma Center where physicians continued life saving efforts. King was pronounced deceased after medical care was deemed unsuccessful.

Sheriff’s detectives are continuing this investigation