An Oregon resident faces one felony and six gross misdemeanors after she allegedly fled from Chehalis police while intoxicated — and with four small children aboard.
Mariah R. Onepennee, 34, was eventually stopped by Centralia police using spike strips.
Onepennee is charged with one count of attempting to elude a police vehicle, a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
She faces additional charges of driving under the influence, reckless driving, and four counts of reckless endangerment, all punishable by up to 364 days in jail and $5,000 in fines.
Onepennee was booked into jail at about 4:20 a.m. Monday. She made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court later that day.
Judge Paul Strophy set Onepennee’s bail at $25,000 cash or bond, citing a potential risk to community safety, while noting her lack of similar criminal offenses.
Strophy ordered that Onepennee not consume any alcohol or non-prescribed drugs, or drive with any children inside her vehicle, as part of her release conditions.
Onepennee cannot drive without a valid license or insurance, Strophy said.
According to a probable cause affidavit, at about 11:07 p.m. Sunday, a Chehalis police officer saw Onepennee’s Dodge Durango stopped “one car length beyond the marked stop line while waiting for a traffic signal.”
In its Monday press log, the Centralia Police Department noted that an employee of a Chehalis business had previously reported the suspect as appearing intoxicated. The employee said the suspect was driving four small children between the ages of about 18 months and 8 years.
A family member of the suspect had also reported the possible DUI, police said.
According to the affidavit, the officer pulled over the suspect’s Durango and noted Onepennee’s slurred speech and glossy eyes. The officer could also smell alcoholic beverages.
“She dropped her cell phone inside the vehicle between the driver's seat and the driver's door, and opened the door to attempt to retrieve the phone,” the affidavit said. “She then attempted to close the door but had to try several times before realizing the seatbelt was in the door, which prevented it from latching.”
Officers ordered the suspect to exit the vehicle, while another reportedly set up a spike strip.
Onepennee allegedly fled into the Centralia area, where police set up more spike strips. Those strips were successful and deflated multiple tires on the vehicle, Centralia police said.
Onepennee eventually pulled into the WinCo Foods parking lot on Yew Street. There police apprehended Onepennee while medical personnel checked on the four child passengers.
“An open alcoholic beverage was found in the passenger door and Ms. Onepennee admitted to drinking at least four beverages in the last hour and a half since leaving a party in Auburn,” the affidavit said.
Police requested and received a warrant for a blood draw.
Onepennee is scheduled for an arraignment on Thursday.
