Ironwood woman sentenced in car chase case

By RICHARD JENKINS

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Bessemer — An Ironwood woman who was convicted of three charges in connection to a brief police chase was sentenced to jail and probation Tuesday in Gogebic County Circuit Court.

Gina Marie Ransanici, 41, of Aspen Street was sentenced to two years probation — the first nine months of which will be served in jail — for the felony charge of third degree fleeing and eluding an officer.

She received a jail credit for 101 days of time served.

Ransanici was also convicted in April of two misdemeanors, reckless driving and operating a vehicle without a license on her person.

She was ordered to pay a total of $1,593 in fines and costs, including fines of $325 and $210 for the two misdemeanors.

Ransanici was convicted of the three charges in April, following a jury trial.

The charge stems from an incident on Oct. 25, 2016, when Ransanici attempted to flee Ironwood Public Safety Department officer Jamie Chiapuzio.

According to Chiapuzio, he pulled up behind Ransanici’s vehicle on Curry Street, north of U.S. 2. Chiapuzio testified Ransanici quickly turned right onto the highway as he pulled up behind her, cutting off several cars. She then briefly pulled into the closed Daydream Donuts driveway before pulling back onto the highway and headed south on Curry Street.

Chiapuzio testified he pursued Ransanici through one stop sign on Curry and onto Lake Avenue, where the chase ended after she abruptly braked. The entire chase lasted roughly a minute, according to his testimony.

Prior to Tuesday’s sentencing, Gogebic County Circuit Judge Michael Pope ruled against a defense motion for a new trial.

Gogebic County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Tracie Wittla told the Daily Globe Pope rejected the motion arguing Ransanici’s attorney, Rudy Perhalla, provided ineffective counsel during the trial.

Ransanici was represented at sentencing by Phillip Toutant.