A North Dakota mother told deputies she sped toward a group of children after her son came to her workplace and said another child had taken his bicycle and threatened to beat him, according to reporting based on court records.
Witnesses described a far more dangerous encounter, telling deputies Ashley Faye Jerome drove toward the group at an estimated 55 to 60 mph before swerving and braking only four to six feet away.
Jerome, 34, disputed that speed estimate but reportedly acknowledged driving toward the children, saying she believed she had been traveling about 35 to 40 mph. She now faces four felony counts of reckless endangerment with extreme indifference in Nelson County.
The Sept. 26 confrontation in Aneta grew out of a dispute involving her son’s bicycle. KVLY reported, citing the probable-cause declaration, that neighborhood children had hidden the bike and then returned it as a prank.
She Went Looking for Them
Jerome told deputies she had been at work when her son came in and said another child had taken his bicycle and threatened to beat him. Upset over what she believed was bullying, she left work and drove around looking for the children.
One witness said Jerome found the group and yelled at them, prompting one child to run inside crying. Another later saw her vehicle coming down the road with its high beams on and estimated it was traveling 55 to 60 mph.
That witness told deputies the car headed toward the children before Jerome swerved and braked roughly four to six feet from them. When he stepped in front of the group, he said Jerome swerved around him.
The man then grabbed the passenger-side window in an attempt to speak with her. Jerome told him she did not want to talk to him and drove away, according to the account he gave deputies.
Witnesses said she continued driving through nearby streets for another 15 to 20 minutes. A separate person at the scene told deputies he believed the vehicle was going to hit him.
A Different Account of Her Speed
Jerome reportedly told deputies she had sped toward the children because she wanted to find out what had happened, but she rejected the witnesses’ estimate of 55 to 60 mph.
She put her speed at approximately 35 to 40 mph and said an adult had prevented her from speaking with the children.
Deputies described Jerome as remorseful during the interview. She said she had been angry because she believed her son was being bullied.
Four Felony Charges
Nelson County court records show Jerome was charged with four counts of reckless endangerment with extreme indifference, all Class C felonies stemming from the Sept. 26 incident.
Under North Dakota Century Code 12.1-17-03, reckless endangerment involves creating a substantial risk of serious bodily injury or death. The offense is a Class C felony when the circumstances demonstrate extreme indifference to the value of human life.
Jerome appeared in court Sept. 28 by video from the Lake Region Law Enforcement Center and subsequently posted cash bond. Court records show she was appointed a public defender and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Nov. 13 before Judge Kristi Venhuizen.
All parties are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.