David Veselenak

Hometownlife.com

A Detroit mother of three is facing multiple criminal charges after authorities say she led police on two high-speed chases, caused two multi-vehicle crashes, stole another motorist’s car and abandoned her children in the midst of it all.

According to Livonia police, 27-year-old Ashley Dorsey was pulled over at about 3:45 p.m. Tuesday afternoon near Eight Mile and Newburgh by a Farmington Hills police officer, who was backed up by a Livonia officer. When the Farmington Hills officer returned to his vehicle to complete his investigation, police say Dorsey fled south on Newburgh.

After a short pursuit, police said they terminated the chase, as Dorsey was reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed.

Dorsey then caused a four-vehicle crash at Seven Mile and Newburgh, where she got out of her car, leaving her three kids behind and stole another vehicle owned by a motorist who was assisting at the accident, Livonia Sgt. Brian Leigh said.

She fled east on Seven Mile in the stolen vehicle, being pursued by police again until about Gill, where the pursuit was once again terminated, Leigh said. A second accident involving Dorsey took place at Seven Mile and Farmington moments later, he said.

Police arrived and arrested Dorsey after a brief struggle.

Leigh said seven vehicles were involved in that accident, and only minor injuries were reported at both incidents.

The children left in the vehicle were taken to an area hospital as a precaution. They were treated and released to a family member.

Dorsey was arraigned Wednesday in Livonia’s 16th District Court on several charges, including two counts of third-degree fleeing and eluding a police officer, two counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer, one count of unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle, one count of receiving and concealing stolen property-motor vehicle, one count of third-degree child abuse and one count of operating while license suspended or revoked. If convicted, she faces a maximum of five years in prison.

She was jailed in lieu of bond of $500,000 cash or surety bond to await a March 3 preliminary hearing. As of Thursday morning, she remained locked up in the Wayne County Jail.

David Veselenak is a reporter for Hometownlife.com. Contact him at dveselenak@hometownlife.com or 734-678-6728. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidVeselenak