A motorist arrested following a high-speed chase through the canyon last month allegedly spit on authorities as they pulled her from her wrecked pickup truck.  

Roxie Joy LaRocque, 24, faces a felony charge of aggravated fleeing from or eluding a peace officer and misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence and assault with a bodily fluid following the March 21 incident. She pleaded not guilty to all counts before Judge Heidi Ulbricht in Flathead County District Court on April 2.  

The chase began when a Montana Highway Patrol trooper attempted to pull LaRocque over on U.S. 2 near Hungry Horse about noon, according to court documents. LaRocque was allegedly behind the wheel of a green Chevrolet pickup as it sped through Hungry Horse at about 80 mph.  

During the subsequent chase, LaRocque drove on a bicycle and pedestrian path, hit 70 mph on Coram Stage Road and nearly lost control of the pickup in Martin City as she hurtled through a residential neighborhood in the unincorporated community at about 50 mph, according to court documents. 

Troopers used a precision immobilization technique on the pickup, sending it up an embankment and temporarily stopping it, court documents said. But LaRocque allegedly extricated the vehicle and drove through a chain-link fence to resume the pursuit.  

When LaRocque finally wrecked the pickup for good, troopers joined with Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies in pulling her out of the driver's side window, court documents said.  

Cursing and screaming as she came out, LaRocque allegedly spat on one of the deputies.  

Authorities described LaRocque as sporting bloodshot eyes and smelling of alcohol, court documents said. Troopers also spotted a bottle of clear liquor on the front passenger side floorboard, according to court documents.  

Taken to a medical facility in Whitefish, LaRocque allegedly refused to cooperate and cursed at the staff. Medical professionals eventually sedated her, court documents said.  

Investigators secured a warrant for a sample of LaRocque's blood, which was later sent to the Montana State Crime Lab.  

In the charging documents, prosecutors noted that LaRocque's driver's license is revoked and has been deemed a habitual traffic offender.  

If convicted of the felony charge, LaRocque 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.