A Washington woman faces serious charges after police released video appearing to show her chasing a child on a dirt bike across residential sidewalks while under the influence of alcohol. The incident occurred in Cheney, a city near Spokane, and has drawn widespread attention following the release of footage by the Spokane County Sheriff's Office.
Details of the Incident
The video, released on Monday, shows a silver Ford Focus pursuing a child along the 7500 block of South Fruitvale Road at approximately 6:05 p.m. on April 28. The vehicle is seen driving over curbs and across lawns, narrowly missing a fire hydrant and several bushes. Deputies described the driver's actions as an attempt to hit the child. Neighbors attempted to intervene and recorded the incident on their phones before the driver veered back onto the roadway and left the area.
Prior to the alleged chase, the child had maneuvered away from the car. The driver, identified as 56-year-old Wendy A. Clemente, allegedly stopped the vehicle to yell at the child. The child responded before turning away, at which point the driver began the pursuit. Fortunately, the child was not hit or injured.
Subsequent Arrest and Charges
At approximately 6:30 p.m., while deputies were still at the first scene, they were notified of a reported residential burglary about a mile away on West Melville Road. A homeowner who was not present told authorities they had observed a suspect on a live security system trying door handles. Deputies arrived and found Clemente and the silver Ford Focus parked in the victim's driveway.
Clemente agreed to answer questions after being advised of her rights. She claimed she had taken her dog for a ride and was looking for other dogs to socialize with. She said she stopped at the property because she saw dogs in a fenced yard, though she admitted she did not know the homeowner. Clemente denied remembering any incident on South Fruitvale Road and denied attempting to enter the residence on West Melville Road.
Deputies noted signs of impairment. Clemente initially denied consuming any substances but later admitted to drinking alcohol. Investigators obtained a search warrant for a blood sample. She was booked into the Spokane County Jail on charges of first-degree attempted assault, DUI, and first-degree criminal trespass.
Court Appearance and Release
The following day, Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner N. Swennumson ordered Clemente's release on her own recognizance without requiring bond. No injuries were reported. The Independent has reached out to the Spokane County Sheriff's Office for further information. It remains unclear if Clemente has obtained legal representation.
