A woman accused of drunkenly leading police on a chase after a night out in Whitefish earlier this month is facing multiple charges in Flathead County District Court.  

Prosecutors brought Stephanie Deeann Cardenas, 43, up on felony counts of fleeing from a peace officer and criminal endangerment as well as misdemeanor driving under the influence, first offense, following her Feb. 1 arrest. Scheduled to appear before Judge Danni Coffman on Feb. 26 for her arraignment, Cardenas was released from custody after posting a $150,000 surety bond.  

Whitefish Police officers arrested Cardenas after she crashed into a wooden privacy fence in a residential neighborhood following a pursuit through the city, according to court documents. Officers initiated the chase after spotting Cardenas' vehicle driving 35 to 40 mph in a 25 mph zone about 1:30 a.m., court documents alleged.  

As officers activated their lights, Cardenas' vehicle allegedly left downtown and headed north on Baker and then Wisconsin avenues. Catching up to Cardenas at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Edgewood Place, officers hit their sirens, court documents said.  

Cardenas' vehicle allegedly sped off, hitting speeds of between 50 and 60 mph, narrowly missing parked cars and running stop signs in a residential neighborhood. She turned down an alley and pulled into a resident parking area where she smashed into the privacy fence, court documents said. Fleeing on foot into the yard, Cardenas eventually doubled back to the vehicle.  

Officers described her as smelling of an alcoholic beverage in court documents. She allegedly slurred her speech and was incoherent at times, sporting soiled pants and bloodshot and watery eyes. Officers described seeing her adorned with both a bar stamp and a bar bracelet. 

After receiving a warrant for a blood draw, officers took Cardenas first to Logan Health Whitefish and then to the county jail.  

Felony fleeing a peace officer is punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine while felony criminal endangerment carries a maximum penalty of 10 years behind bars and a $50,000 fine. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].