A 41-year-old Andalusia woman was hospitalized Friday after attempting to elude officers and crashing her vehicle into a tree.

The Andalusia Police Department received a call from the Covington County E 9-1-1 Center just before 9:30 a.m. Friday about a reckless driver.

The vehicle was going into Andalusia from northern Covington County on U.S. Hwy. 29. The vehicle, a black 2004 Infiniti driven by Sandra Harrelson of Andalusia, made it to Hardee’s of Andalusia before Sgt. Roger Cender made contact with her.

When Harrelson spotted the officer, she left at a high rate of speed headed out of town on Antioch Road. Officer Jason Strickland made contact with the vehicle on Antioch Road. The pursuit continued on to Sutton Road at speeds of up to 75 mph. The driver attempted a left turn on to County Road 70 and lost control of her vehicle. Harrelson’s vehicle hit a tree and caught fire.

Covington County Sheriff’s Department officers also responded, along with Advanced EMS and Heath volunteer firefighters. Ms. Harrelson was airlifted from the scene by LifeFlight to a Pensacola hospital for treatment.

The investigation has been turned over to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Andalusia Police Chief Paul Hudson expressed his appreciation to all the agencies involved for the assistance.