TROY, NY — State Police arrested a Rensselaer woman early Friday morning following a high-speed chase that reached speeds exceeding 100 mph.
Janette M. Ketcham, 54, of Rensselaer, was taken into custody at approximately 2:04 a.m. on Feb. 28, 2026.
State Police from Brunswick attempted to stop a vehicle on Alternate State Route 7 in Troy.
The driver, later identified as Ketcham, failed to comply, prompting a pursuit.
Ketcham continued to operate her vehicle recklessly onto I-787 and I-90, and eventually into Rensselaer, nearly striking a marked law enforcement vehicle.
Ketcham lost control of her vehicle at the intersection of Partition Street and Third Street, struck a snowbank, and became disabled.
Ketcham was taken into custody and found to possess a substance that later field-tested positive for containing cocaine.
She was transported to State Police Brunswick, where she was evaluated by a Drug Recognition Expert, and samples were taken to determine the drug content of her blood.
Ketcham was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, fifth degree, a class D felony; criminal possession of a controlled substance, seventh degree, a class A misdemeanor; unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, third degree, a class A misdemeanor; reckless endangerment, second degree, a class A misdemeanor; obstructing governmental administration, second degree, a class A misdemeanor; resisting arrest, a class A misdemeanor; driving while ability impaired and numerous other vehicle and traffic law violations.
Ketcham was arraigned at Rensselaer City Court, where she was released under the supervision of the Rensselaer County Probation Department.
