Woman accused of running over SC deputy pleads not guilty
UPDATE: 6/20/2018 9:09 a.m. The woman accused of ramming a Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy with a patrol car pleaded not guilty.
27-year-old Jessica Lowe was in court Wednesday morning for her involvement in an officer involved shooting on May 18.
Two deputies patrolled the end of Ocean Street Extension when they came across Lowe and another suspect next to two parked cars. One of the cars had been reported stolen out of San Jose.
The two were handcuffed and placed in separate patrol cars. Lowe slipped out of her cuffs, and instead of driving away, the sheriff’s office said she drove a patrol car into one of the deputies.
Lowe suffered three gunshot wounds and was flown to a trauma center where she underwent surgery.
The injured deputy was treated at a local hospital and released.
Lowe will be back in court on July 10 following a mental evaluation.
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UPDATE: 6/4/2018 Jessica Lowe, the woman accused of ramming a Santa Cruz Deputy with a patrol vehicle has been booked into jail.
Lowe had been in the hospital with injuries, so was not arrested until she was released.
She faces charges including Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office released body camera video showing how an officer involved shooting played out.
On May 18, two deputies were patrolling the end of Ocean Street Extension when they came across two cars parked in a turnout at the end of the road. One of the cars was reported stolen out of San Jose.
The suspects, 27-year-old Jessica Lowe of Santa Cruz and another man were standing between the cars when deputies arrived.
The two suspects were handcuffed and put in separate patrol cars while deputies checked out the stolen Honda.
Deputy August Waltrip searched the stolen car while another deputy questioned the man in the back of a patrol car.
“During this time, Lowe slipped out of her handcuffs and was able to reach through the rear window and open the door of the other patrol car,” said Sgt. Brian Cleveland.
Lowe didn’t run away, instead she got in the drivers seat of the sheriff’s patrol car and drove towards a deputy.
Sgt. Cleveland said, “Without warning, the car driven by Lowe struck the deputy and forced him into the back seat of his patrol car causing significant injuries,” said Sgt. Cleveland. “Deputy Waltrip heard the crash and his partner screaming in pain as he approached the patrol car driven by Lowe. Deputy Waltrip did not know if his partner was stuck underneath the car or pinned between the two cars. In fear for his partner’s life, Deputy Waltrip fired his service weapon two times at Lowe as he opened the driver’s side door to stop Lowe’s assault.”
Lowe put the patrol car in reverse and began backing up towards Deputy Waltrip. Deputy Waltrip fired his gun towards Lowe several times.
Both deputies hid behind a tree when Lowe finally stopped the car.
Lowe suffered three gunshot wounds and was flown to a trauma center where she underwent surgery.
The injured deputy was treated at a local hospital and released.
Lowe has been released from the hospital and transferred to the Santa Cruz County Jail and face charges of attempted murder of a peace officer.
WATCH Full body camera video: HERE
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A Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy was injured and one suspect is in the hospital with gunshot wounds after officials say she hit the deputy with a patrol vehicle, prompting another deputy to shoot her.
It happened at the Ocean Street Extension around 3:30 a.m. Friday morning. Two deputies in separate patrol cars located two parked cars on the side of the road, one of which had been reported stolen.
Deputies found a man and woman near by. Sheriff Jim Hart says deputies placed the man and woman in handcuffs and put them in separate patrol cars.”While deputies interviewed the man, the woman was able to slip out of her handcuffs, reach through a partially open window in the patrol car and open the door.”
The suspect was able to open the driver door then drove towards deputies, “without warning drove the vehicle directly at deputies striking him and damaging both patrol cars. the deputy was temporarily incapacitated and rather than fleeing the scene the woman continued to re-engage driving the car back and forth at them.”
The uninjured Deputy fired three shots at the woman. They took life-saving measures on scene and she was eventually life flighted to the hospital.
The Deputy who was struck was also taken to the hospital, he is said to be okay and has been released, but will be required to have a follow up treatment.
The man is complying with investigators. It will be up to the District Attorney if he will face any charges.
As for the woman, Sheriff Hart says, “when released from the hospital the woman will be booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail for attempted murder on a police officer and other charges.”
The couple is said to have ties to the area and law enforcement has dealt with them in the past.
