A woman in Becker County, Minnesota, is facing multiple charges after she allegedly assaulted multiple law enforcement agents after she caused a vehicle to go into a ditch. As per the authorities, she grabbed the vehicle’s wheel during a heated argument with the car’s driver.
According to a Becker County District Court criminal complaint reviewed by Valley News Live, the incident occurred on Tuesday, June 23. At around 8:17 p.m., Becker County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies responded to County Highway 35 in Ponsford.
The deputies had been informed of a motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival, they encountered a vehicle in a ditch.
Agents came into contact with the vehicle’s driver. He explained that the front passenger, identified as 37-year-old Ashley Jennifer Stevens, was to blame.
Steering Wheel Mayhem
The man told the BCSO deputies that he and Stevens had engaged in a heated argument. At one point during the discussion, Stevens allegedly told him, “You think I give a [expletive] about us.” Things escalated immediately after that.
The complaint details that the woman proceeded to grab the steering wheel. Using the whole weight of her body, the woman allegedly managed to cause the vehicle to fall into the ditch and crash into off-road trees.
Fortunately, the driver didn’t suffer major injuries, as he only had a swollen lip. Stevens, meanwhile, was found walking on the road and was placed under arrest. As per KFGO, Stevens allegedly told an officer that she was trying to get away unnoticed.
Woman Arrested, Agents Hurt
Immediately, deputies noticed some signs of impairment. Mainly, according to the complaint, agents smelled an alcohol odor emanating from Stevens. Additionally, she had blood on her face due to a cut she sustained during the crash.
Stevens was transported to Becker County Jail. She is accused of refusing to provide a breath sample, explaining that she didn’t need to provide one since she wasn’t the driver. She allegedly physically resisted entering a patrol car when told she needed to go to an emergency room for treatment.
The trip to the emergency room was rough, to say the least. The 37-year-old woman kicked a deputy in the chest while resisting the placement of a safety helmet, the complaint said. Additionally, she also banged her own head on the car.
Then, in the hospital bathroom, she allegedly placed her wet hand on a deputy’s cheek while making an unspecified derogatory statement. Finally, when medical staff attempted to obtain a blood sample from her, Stevens allegedly resisted and kicked another officer.
Charges, Past History
Ashley Jennifer Stevens is facing mulitple serious charges. These include felony domestic assault, second-degree DWI with refusal to submit to a chemical test, and three counts of assaulting a peace officer.
If convicted of her felony domestic assault charge, she could face up to five years in prison. Meanwhile, the three counts of assaulting a peace officer could land her up to nine years behind bars in total.
The complaint detailed that Stevens has two previous DWI convictions in the past 10 years. Additionally, she also has three domestic violence-related convictions in the same time period.