Police performed two precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuvers to stop an Oregon driver suspected of driving under the influence on Interstate 5 in Lewis County Wednesday.
The driver, Sara E. Steege, 44, of Portland, had allegedly refused to pull over despite multiple attempts by law enforcement, according to court documents filed by the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office.
Steege has since been charged with one count each of attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle and third-degree assault. Both are Class C felonies punishable by up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
Steege made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Thursday via a video call from the Lewis County Jail, where she appeared to express confusion over the charges.
“I was attacked so I don’t understand why I’m being charged with assault,” Steege said.
Senior Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher noted that Steege had no criminal history but cited the alleged PIT maneuver used to stop her. He added that Steege lived in Portland — not in Washington — and asked for a bail amount of $25,000 cash or bond to protect the public.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller asked the court to consider an unsecured bond — or else no more than $10,000 in bail — due to the defendant’s lack of history.
Judge Joely Yeager called the allegations “very concerning,” and said they gave the court reason to believe the defendant might not abide by its orders.
She added there was concern Steege might interfere with the administration of justice and said she posed a possible flight risk.
The judge set bail at $25,000 cash or bond.
According to court documents, a WSP trooper had been informed of a vehicle driving south on I-5 at a “slow rate of speed and cutting off other drivers, almost colliding with other motorists while doing so.”
The trooper reportedly located the vehicle and saw it leave its lane by about two tire widths. He turned on his overhead lights and siren, but the vehicle didn’t stop.
According to court documents, the vehicle eventually exited the interstate at U.S. Highway 12 and turned right onto Avery Road, where it allegedly “maneuvered around a deputy who had set up in the area in an attempt to stop oncoming traffic.”
Police reportedly executed a successful PIT maneuver to disable the vehicle.
When another trooper approached, however, the driver allegedly said “he was not a real cop” and drove back onto the road.
A second PIT maneuver reportedly landed the vehicle in a ditch.
According to court documents, the driver, now identified as Sara Steege, refused to exit the vehicle and had to be removed from the passenger’s side.
While at the hospital for examination, Steege allegedly refused to exit a bathroom and later “attempted to push away” from a trooper and hospital staff, court documents state.
Prosecutors further allege she “kicked her feet” at a trooper and “fought him” as he tried to place her into a patrol vehicle.
Steege is scheduled to appear for an arraignment on Feb. 5.
