Edhat StaffBy the edhat staff
A Bakersfield woman has pleaded “no contest” to charges related to a November high-speed chase that spanned two counties.
Around 11:23 a.m. on November 13, 2022, Taft police officers conducted a traffic stop in the 1100 block of Sixth Street on a white woman with an outstanding felony warrant for her arrest, later identified as Edwina Fowler, 46 of Taft.
According to a police report, Fowler was suspected of being armed and refused to comply with officers’ commands on several occassions.
Edwina Fowler, photo courtesy Taft Police Department
Fowler then led police on a pursuit to Highway 33 and Highway 166 into Santa Barbara County, reaching speeds of over 90 miles per hour. Once she left Taft city limits, CHP took over the pursuit and Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office took over in their county.
Fowler was arrested without further incident and charged with brandishing a firearm or deadly weapon to avoid arrest, possession of a controlled substance while armed with a loaded firearm, reckless evasion of a peace officer, firearm possession of a violent felon and possession of ammunition by a person prohibiting of owning a firearm, according to the Kern County Index.
On Monday, Fowler pleaded no contest to brandishing a gun to avoid arrest and four other felonies were dismissed, according to court records. Sentencing is set for January 13.
