Shocking footage captured the moment a woman accelerated her Ford Focus down a sidewalk to chase a child on his dirt bike in Cheney, Washington, on April 28. Deputies with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office arrested Wendy Clemente, 56, for allegedly attempting to mow down the child while under the influence.
Video released Monday by authorities, filmed by a stunned witness, showed Clemente initially pointing her car at the boy and honking her horn repeatedly on a quiet residential street. A witness said 'this woman is crazy' as the Ford swerved at the child on the sidewalk, and the boy appeared to say something to the driver before she reversed and positioned her car at him. The silver hatchback then accelerated quickly down the sidewalk as the child raced away on his dirt bike, as a witness yelled: 'She's trying to run this... Oh my god... You're kidding, oh my god.'
Other shocked neighbours then filled the street and chased after the Ford, with the boy able to ride away to safety. When Clemente was arrested, deputies said she claimed she was merely taking her dog for a ride and was 'looking for other dogs to socialize with.' She is facing charges of first-degree attempted assault, DUI, and criminal trespass after Clemente allegedly tried to break into a home after accelerating at the child.
According to a release by the sheriff's department, Clemente tried to use her dog as an excuse for the on-camera incident. She told deputies that she didn't know anything about allegedly chasing a child down the sidewalk, and claimed she went to the home afterwards because she saw a dog in a fenced yard, reports the Spokesman Review. Deputies said they were notified of the alleged burglary around a mile away from the sidewalk incident when they arrived on the scene. Clemente and her silver Ford Focus were found at the home, and the homeowner said they watched on their home security system as the suspect tried to open door handles.
When Clemente was arrested outside the home, deputies said they suspected her of driving under the influence, leading her to allegedly try to kick a deputy as she was detained. The 56-year-old later admitted to consuming alcohol before her arrest, authorities said. Clemente was arraigned in court the following day, and was released on her own recognizance.
