Scottsbluff woman accused of using van to chase couple at high speed

A 22 year old Scottsbluff woman is facing charges for allegedly using her van to chase and try to ram a car containing an ex-boyfriend and his girlfriend.

Marisa Mata of Scottsbluff is charged with two counts of attempted second degree assault and willful reckless driving for the incident, which started Tuesday morning in Scottsbluff and involved vehicle speeds reported at over 100 miles an hour.

In the arrest affidavit, the female victim told investigators the incident started shortly before 11:00 a.m. when Mata tried to hit and block in her car at a Scottsbluff convenience store at West Overland and Avenue I. The woman says she used side streets in an attempt to lose the suspect, eventually heading west on W. 20th street and then Highway 92.

The court document says the chase continued to Hubbard's Hill, then north to Mitchell, during which the victim says speeds reached over 100 miles an hour and Mata again tried to ram her car. The woman says Mata's van did hit her car at 19th Avenue and Broadway in Mitchell, after which police stopped Mata and the victim stopped near Mitchell High School.

Mata's first court appearance was scheduled for Monday afternoon.