Woman to serve probation for chase, crash

A woman was sentenced for stealing a delivery vehicle on Aug. 20, 2015, leading authorities on a chase and crashing the vehicle.

Raychelle Yvette Afseth, 30, was given a six-year deferred sentence by Flathead District Judge Heidi Ulbricht for one felony count of criminal endangerment that resulted after Afseth stole a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee from the Kmart parking lot in Evergreen and led authorities on a 40-mile chase at speeds of greater than 100 miles per hour until spike strips caused the vehicle to crash near Nyack.

Afseth had to be flown to the hospital for treatment.

Prosecutor Andrew Clegg said the owners of the totaled vehicle asked for $16,499 in restitution. The vehicle was used as a delivery vehicle for a cookie business.

“They lost everything they had,” Clegg said. “It almost cost them the business.”

Defense attorney Jessica Polan argued that some of the costs were not reimbursable because of insurance payments that had covered some of the costs of the damaged vehicle.

“I understand that they are very upset,” Polan said.

Ulbricht ordered Afseth pay $7,566.09 in restitution. The judge suspended most of the fines and fees after Polan pointed out that Afseth has mental health issues, cognitive difficulties and does not have a driver’s license.

“She’s going to be in quite a conundrum when she has to pay for these,” Polan said.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.