Hannibal woman arrested last week after fleeing from law enforcement in Lewis County during July incident

La GRANGE, Mo. — A Hannibal woman is facing two felony charges after she fled law enforcement officers in Wakonda State Park in Lewis County in July and was arrested last week.

Members of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department were called to a disturbance at 12:02 a.m. on July 2, 2024, at Wakonda State Park. Upon arrival, a member of the La Grange Police Department assisting the sheriff’s department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle inside the park and made contact with the driver, Tiffany Leeders, 39, of Hannibal. 

Once the sheriff’s deputy arrived, the officers learned Leeders had an active warrant out of Lincoln County in Missouri. A press release from the sheriff’s department said Leeders was advised she had a warrant for her arrest but refused to exit the vehicle. She was given multiple commands to exit the vehicle and attempted to roll up her window instead.

The deputy used a window breaker tool to prevent Leeders from fleeing. As he broke the window, Leeders accelerated her vehicle while the deputy’s arm was still inside the vehicle, causing multiple lacerations to his arm. Leeders then fled the state park and traveled into Marion County on U.S. 61.

While being pursued by the deputy. Leeders dialed 911 and said she would drive into a semi if law enforcement did not stop chasing her. Leeders then crossed the median and continued southbound in the northbound lanes of U.S. 61. The sheriff’s deputy then terminated the pursuit due to the danger imposed by Leeders’ actions. 

The deputy received treatment for the lacerations to his forearm at a local hospital that night and was released.

Formal charges were sought through Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney Chelsea Fellinger. Leeders was charged with assault in the second degree, a Class B felony; resisting arrest by fleeing, a Class E felony, and several other misdemeanors. Associate Judge Corey Moon then issued a warrant for the arrest of Leeders.

A member of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department received a tip on Jan. 16 that Leeders was at a residence in Hannibal, Mo. The Hannibal Police Department then located her and took her into custody. Leeders was then transported to the Marion County Jail and faces charges in several jurisdictions.

For now, she is lodged in the Clark County Jail on Lewis County charges in lieu of a $100,000 bond regarding the felony charges and a $2,500 bond regarding the misdemeanor counts. 

The Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted.