A Baltimore woman has been indicted after prosecutors say she hit a police officer’s patrol bike twice with a pink Tesla. The whole incident started with a $30 parking ticket.
It happened around 9:50 p.m. on Aug. 13 in the 1900 block of Thames Street in Fells Point. Officer Lawrence Fasano was on bike patrol when he noticed a 2022 Tesla Model 3 parked illegally.
The Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office said Tamia Anderson, 24, was indicted on first-degree assault, second-degree assault, fleeing and eluding, and related traffic charges. She was later arrested and released on bond.
Body-camera video shows the officer repeatedly telling the driver to stop. Fasano was not injured during the encounter.
The Driver Allegedly Lost It Over a $30 Parking Ticket
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Fasano told the driver that she would receive a parking citation and needed to remain at the scene. The driver got into the Tesla, made a U-turn and began moving toward him.
The officer told her that she was not free to leave and ordered her to stop. Prosecutors say the Tesla struck the front wheel of his patrol bike before the driver left. The driver also allegedly threw a glass bottle toward Fasano, but it missed him.
She Allegedly Backed Toward Him a Second Time
Fasano followed the Tesla on his bike to get its license plate number. The driver then stopped in the road even though prosecutors say she had a clear path to continue driving away.
According to the indictment announcement, she put the Tesla in reverse and accelerated toward the officer. The car allegedly struck his bike between the front and rear wheels. Fasano got off the bike and moved out of the vehicle’s path. The driver then left the area while allegedly yelling that she did not care.
The Officer Retired Days Later
Other Baltimore Police officers eventually stopped the Tesla and arrested the driver. She was later indicted on assault, fleeing and traffic charges. WMAR reported that she posted a $25,000 bond. Her next court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 29.
Fasano retired shortly after the encounter following 33 years with the Baltimore Police Department. Police Commissioner Richard Worley said that this happened during one of the officer’s final shifts.