Crime & Safety
Police: Drunk Driver Tried To Strike Officer With Car
The officer "had to jump out of the way to avoid getting hit," police said.
A Massachusetts woman hit the gas and tried to run over a Port Chester police officer during a traffic stop on Saturday, according to police.
An officer on patrol at 12:43 p.m. spotted a Ford Focus with Virginia plates headed northbound in the southbound lane on North Main Street, Lt. James Ladeairous said. When the officer activated his lights and signaled for the driver to pull over, the woman drove across the opposite lane of traffic, cutting off several cars as she turned up Highland Street.
Police say 50-year-old Caroline Payne wouldn't pull over until the officer was able to get ahead of her in traffic and force her to stop. When the officer got out of his car, Payne turned her wheels, accelerated and tried to strike him, Ladeairous said.
"He had to jump out of the way to avoid getting hit," he said.
Payne sped away, but ended up in the valet area. While her car was at a stop, the officer was able to reach in and pull the key out of the car's ignition, Ladeairous said.
Payne refused a blood alcohol test, police said, despite several empty 24oz cans of Budweiser on the floor of the car. Payne, of Summerville, MA, was charged with misdemeanor DWI and felony attempted aggravated assault on a police officer. She was sent to Westchester County Jail and is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 27.
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