Topeka woman sentenced to prison for fleeing police while impaired

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Adrianna E. Pacheco, 39, of Topeka., will serve 37 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections for one count of possession of methamphetamine.

Judge Amy Hanley sentenced Pacheco, who pleaded guilty on October 23, 2023, to 12 months post-release supervision. Pacheco also pleaded to a felony count of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and sentenced to six months in prison, and to driving under the influence, a misdemeanor, and was sentenced to 6 months in the county jail. Both sentences will be served concurrently to the possession conviction. 

Charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on March 17, 2020, when a motorist alerted the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to a possibly impaired driver. Pacheco’s vehicle was spotted driving recklessly while westbound on the Kansas Turnpike near mile marker 191. Pacheco refused to stop when emergency lights were activated and continued driving at times in excess of 90 miles per hour. Pacheco eventually stopped after exiting the turnpike and entering a Topeka residential neighborhood where she struck a parked car.

“Impaired driving puts everyone at risk, and we must hold these drivers accountable to save lives,” District Attorney Valdez said. “During the holiday season, please support our efforts by making a plan to drive sober, designate a driver or use a ride share service.”

Deputy District Attorney Joshua Seiden represented the State in the case that was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.