A Washington state woman drove her car onto a residential sidewalk chasing a child on a bicycle, then told deputies she was looking for dogs to socialize with while under the influence of alcohol.
Driver Pursues Juvenile on Sidewalk
Security footage captured 56-year-old Wendy Clemente in a silver Ford Focus swerving onto the sidewalk in Cheney, Washington, pursuing a child riding a dirt bike. The incident occurred in the 7500 block of South Fruitvale Road last month. Video shows the woman honking at the child in her driveway before narrowly missing him. The juvenile stopped, words were exchanged, then Clemente turned her vehicle around and chased him along the sidewalk, barely avoiding a fire hydrant and bushes before returning to the road.
Neighbors who witnessed the incident expressed shock, with one person heard screaming in disbelief as the chase unfolded. The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office released the video on Monday after receiving multiple reports about the dangerous driving. Deputies arrived at the scene after responding to a separate burglary call approximately one mile away, where someone was captured on security camera footage attempting to open doors at an unoccupied residence.
Bizarre Explanation From Suspect
When deputies located Clemente and her vehicle, they arrested her for allegedly attempting to strike the child while operating under the influence. During the arrest, she resisted by trying to kick a patrol deputy. Clemente provided an unusual explanation for her behavior, claiming she had taken her dogs for a ride and was searching for other dogs to socialize with at the time. She insisted she had no awareness of the child on the bicycle or any pursuit, though she admitted to consuming alcohol before the incident.
Legal Consequences and Release
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office booked Clemente into the Spokane County Jail on multiple charges including first-degree attempted assault, driving under the influence, and criminal trespass. Despite the severity of the allegations involving a child victim and vehicular assault while intoxicated, authorities released her on her own recognizance. The child involved in the incident was not injured, managing to avoid the pursuing vehicle. No information has been released about whether Clemente has entered a plea or retained legal representation for the pending charges.
