A Mitchell woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to burning down her home, stemming from an incident in October.
Dawn Long, 37, pleaded not guilty at the Davison County Public Safety Center in Mitchell to reckless burning or exploding. At 8 a.m. on Oct. 8, Long's home at 800 E. Seventh Ave. in Mitchell caught fire.
The house was unoccupied at the time of the fire and no one was injured, but Long was hospitalized in Rapid City following an alleged car chase with law enforcement through Badlands National Park in western South Dakota.
Law enforcement used spikes to puncture the tires on Long's vehicle, but Long continued driving. The vehicle rolled off the road, and Long was ejected from the vehicle and taken to a hospital via helicopter.
Long was indicted Dec. 4, and a warrant was issued for her arrest. She was taken into custody in December.
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A jury trial for the reckless burning or exploding charge has been scheduled for May.
In Davison County, Long is charged with reckless burning or exploding, a class 4 felony, punishable upon conviction by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
In Jackson County, Long is charged with eluding and reckless driving, class 1 misdemeanors, punishable upon conviction by up to one year in jail and a $500 fine.
