North Idaho Deputy Drug By Car

HAUSER, ID — A Washington woman has been arrested in connection with an incident in Kootenai County involving the woman dragging a Kootenai County Deputy with her vehicle.

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Police say deputies responded to reports of a woman slumped over in the driver's seat of a car on June 23 in the middle of an intersection. Melinda Smith, 48, of Waitts Lake, WA., told the deputies she had stopped in the middle of the road due to shoulder pain.

Medical personnel arrive and determined the woman did not need treatment.

As Smith left the area, deputies saw her driving erratic and pulled her over. When the deputy made contact with Smith, she took off, dragging the deputy more than 50 feet before he released his grip on the driver's side window.

A pursuit ensued with speeds reaching more than 70 mph. Smith was boxed in at a boat check station, but rammed multiple patrol vehicles.

Smith was arrested at this point and charged with battery on a peace officer, two counts of assault on a peace officer, resisting and obstructing, eluding and four counts of reckless driving.

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