Court Decision Sends Woman to ODR Program Instead of Prison
A woman who led police on a high-speed chase that ended in a wrong-way crash on the 405 Freeway will avoid jail time and instead enter a diversion program.
Lisa Ann Heflin, 41, was placed in the Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR) program, which provides long-term community-based care, housing, and support for individuals with serious mental, physical, or substance abuse issues, according to the Los Angeles County Health Services website. The program diverts participants away from the criminal justice system and into tailored care.
Heflin faced 16 charges, including 10 counts of assault upon a peace officer, four counts of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of reckless evasion of police, and one count of hit-and-run resulting in property damage. She pleaded not guilty to all charges during her arraignment on May 22 and would have faced a sentence of 22 years and eight months in state prison.
The incident occurred on May 17 when officers from the LAPD’s Pacific Division responded to a disturbance call around 4:30 a.m. in Venice Beach. Heflin allegedly fled in her vehicle, crashing into a police car before leading officers on a 30-minute chase through Venice Beach, Santa Monica, and West Los Angeles. The pursuit ended on the northbound 405 Freeway, where Heflin collided with multiple vehicles.
In total, five police vehicles, two civilian cars, and a tractor-trailer were damaged in the chase. Fortunately, no significant injuries were reported and that may be why she was allowed to enter a diversion program despite a hefty bail and several charges.
Prosecutors objected to the placement in the diversion program, but she will now receive mental health and substance abuse treatment rather than face incarceration.
