KSWT: Local News, Weather, Sports Yuma, AZ El Centro Imperial Valley, CA Woman allegedly driving homicide victim's car appears in court

Woman allegedly driving homicide victim's car appears in court

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Wellton, AZ-Maricela Sanchez, 27, appeared at the Wellton Justice court.

Sanchez faces one felony count of unlawful flight from pursuing law enforcement vehicles.

During the hearing Sanchez appeared to have mixed emotions, at times wanting to cry and  later smirking with amusement.

Judge Russ Jones asked her is she supported anyone else besides herself and she mumbled.

Judge Jones asked her the same question again and she said yes. He then asked her how many people did she support, she replied the State of Arizona.

Last week, Sanchez took officers from the Department of Public Safety on a high speed chase for more than 20 miles Westbound on Interstate 8.

DPS said Sanchez was first pulled over around 11 a.m. Thursday near Tacna for speeding.

When the officer asked her to get out of the car she refused and drove off at speeds reaching 110 miles per hour.

The pursuit ended in Yuma around noon by the Foothills Blvd exit after officials threw down spike strips.

Sanchez admitted to the judge that the vehicle she was driving during the high speed chase did not belong to her.

DPS authorities confirmed that Sanchez was speeding in a car that belonged to a homicide victim in Phoenix.

That same day around 9:30 a.m. Phoenix Police Department responded to an apartment fire.

Phoenix PD said Phoenix firefighters discovered the body of 56-year old Bruce Gaudet.

Police said after further investigation it was ruled a homicide.

Gaudet was the Phoenix representative for a wholesale cigar company in Florida.

KSWT news 13 spoke with Bill Neiderer, a friend of Gaudet, says he has no idea who the woman was or if it was his girlfriend.

We have not confirmed what the suspect's relation is to Gaudet.

"Married...oh well single.....separated," Sanchez said when asked by the judge what her marital status was.

Sanchez said she lives on the street, sometimes with friend and is currently unemployed.

"I don't know your honor. I need a counselor. I need rehab. I made a mess when I was 12 years old," she said.

Sanchez's bond was set at $100,000 dollars and is expected to appear in court next week.