Hearing Set for Today for Intoxicated Woman Who Reportedly Fled Police With Twin Toddlers in Car

Aly Delp

Aly Delp

Published June 1, 2021 4:28 am
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CLARION CO., Pa. (EYT) — A Clarion woman is facing a hearing today for reportedly attempting to flee police custody while driving intoxicated with two toddlers in her vehicle.

(Photo by Dave Cyphert of ProPoint Media Photography)

Samantha Jean Morelle, 30, of Clarion, is scheduled to stand for a preliminary hearing in front of Magisterial District Judge Duane L. Quinn at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 1, on the following charges:

  • Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Officer, Felony 3
  • Endangering Welfare of Children — Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense, Felony 3
  • DUI: General Imp/Inc of Driving Safely — 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
  • Careless Driving, Summary
  • Duties At Stop Sign, Summary
  • Driving at Safe Speed, Summary
  • Driving with a Suspended License, Summary

She is currently lodged in the Clarion County Jail in lieu of $50,000.00 cash bail.

Details of the case:

On May 14 around 12:24 p.m., Clarion Borough Officer Roger Wright was assigned by Chief Bill Peck to respond to a Main Street business for a report of an intoxicated woman with two young children with her.

A criminal complaint filed Friday indicates that the woman, identified as Samantha Jean Morelle, left the business in a gold Chevrolet Impala as Officer Wright was arriving.

A check of Morelle’s driving record revealed that she was operating the vehicle with a suspended driver’s license.

Morelle turned onto South 8th Avenue from Main Street. She then turned into the parking lot of a known business. Officer Wright subsequently activated his overhead emergency lights and siren in an attempt to initiate a traffic stop.

According to the criminal complaint, in an attempt to flee the police, Morelle then drove the wrong way through a drive-thru and narrowly missed striking another car and a fence. She then allegedly exited the parking lot, without stopping, and proceeded onto Wood Street where she ran a “steady red light.” Morelle then turned onto South 8th Avenue before traveling onto South Street where she continued to flee the police, reaching speeds greater than 50 MPH. After allegedly failing to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of South Street and South 7th Avenue, Morelle continued onto Deitz Place where she reached speeds over 40 MPH before eventually pulling into a parking place.

Morelle was subsequently taken into custody. Police discovered two-year-old twins — one boy and one girl — in the back seat of the vehicle. The twins were turned over to Clarion County CYS.

Officer Wright said he noticed a strong alcoholic order emanating from Morelle’s breath. He also indicated that she had red bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.

She was transported to Clarion Hospital where she refused chemical testing.

Morelle was transported back to the Clarion Borough Police Department where she reportedly told police she fled because “in New Hampshire, if you get caught driving without a license, you go to jail, and if she made it home (the police) could not impound her car.”

Morelle was arraigned on May 14.

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