Queens Mother Accused Of Sparking Wild, High-Speed Chase With Son In Back Seat

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Queens mother was facing numerous charges after allegedly crashing into a police cruiser on Long Island and injuring an officer.

Investigators said she then took police on a high-speed chase with her one-year-old child inside of her car.

As CBS2's Tony Aiello reported, police said a wild chase that began in an Elmont parking lot on Monday, was started by 24-year-old Tanaisha Ferrell.

The Queens woman allegedly smashed into a parked police cruiser, injuring the officer inside, before driving off onto the Hempstead Turnpike at nearly 100-mph.

Police said Ferrell clipped another vehicle after veering off onto a side road.

They cornered her when she turned onto a dead-end street. Authorities found her 1-year-old son buckled into the back seat.

"That's not acceptable, kids shouldn't have to deal with that when they're so young," Crystal Edwards said.

Police said Ferrell raced through several red lights along a busy one mile stretch.

Residents were shocked she would endanger others, and her own child.

"There's no excuse for that. Adults should show a good example to our kids, to other kids," Beatrice Johnson said.

No one answered the door at Ferrell's home in the St. Albans section of Queens, on the Nassau border.

Neighbors said the family recently moved to the block, but mom and child were rarely seen.

Police removed Ferrell's son and placed him with relatives.

The young mother faces numerous child endangerment and reckless speeding charges. She is due back in court on Thursday.