A 25-year-old motorist who wrecked in a ditch near Batavia while allegedly fleeing deputies on U.S. 2 in March is facing multiple charges in Flathead County District Court.  

Azina Carey Berning is set to be arraigned on a felony charge of aggravated fleeing from or eluding a peace officer and a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence, first offense, before Judge Danni Coffman on April 9. Berning, who remains in the county jail with bail set at $55,000, has a bail modification hearing scheduled for April 6. 

The alleged pursuit began when a trio of Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies traveling east on U.S. 2 near Marion about 9:45 p.m., March 14, had to brake hard to avoid colliding with a passenger vehicle. Although headed in the same direction as the law enforcement vehicles, the Toyota Sequoia was traveling at about 35 mph in a 60-mph zone and swerving erratically, court documents said. 

When deputies hit their emergency lights for a traffic stop, the motorist — later identified as Berning — kept driving at the same speed, court documents alleged. She allegedly picked up speed when deputies used their airhorns.  

During the subsequent chase, Berning drifted toward both sides of the road and came close to colliding with a guardrail or running off into a ditch on multiple occasions, court documents said.  

Authorities deployed a tire deflation device west of the intersection of U.S. 2 and Wettington Drive. But the Sequoia kept going after driving over the device before running off the road and into a ditch near Gray Lane, court documents said.  

Pulling up to the wrecked vehicle, deputies called out to the Berning, directing her to kill the engine. Instead, she allegedly began rocking the vehicle back and forth in an attempt to get free of the ditch.  

Even after the Sequoia finally died, Berning ignored commands to exit the vehicle until a deputy used a foam baton to smash the rear windows, court documents said. She eventually emerged with a cigarette in her hand, according to court documents.  

Deputies reported that Berning, who allegedly smelled of alcohol, appeared unsteady on her feet and struggled with balance. Inside the Sequoia, authorities found empty cans of alcoholic seltzer on the front passenger side floorboard, court documents said.  

Berning remained uncooperative after being taken into custody, court documents said. Driven to the county jail, Berning allegedly refused to walk into the facility. Deputies carried her inside instead. 

After authorities secured a warrant for a blood draw, Berning was taken to a medical facility, where she allegedly refused to cooperate. Deputies held her to the hospital bed while a nurse drew her blood, court documents said.  

She also tried repeatedly to slip out of her handcuffs, according to court documents.  

If convicted of felony aggravated fleeing from or eluding a peace officer, she faces up to five years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 406-758-4430 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.