UTICA, NY – A Utica woman is facing multiple charges after nearly running over multiple pedestrians, but striking a tree instead. Police say the woman was intoxicated and arresting officers found a baby in the back seat.
On Wednesday, at around 10:30 pm, investigators with the Utica Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division were traveling on the 1500 block of Oneida St when they witnessed a vehicle driving directly at several pedestrians in an attempt to strike them.
“As the operator was doing this, they witnessed her then strike several parked vehicles, and then the vehicle ultimately came to rest after striking a tree,” police said. “As the vehicle came to a rest another female ran to the driver’s side and she and the operator then began to physically fight until the investigators were able to separate and detain the two.”
As responding officers investigated, they detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage on the operator’s breath and noticed that a three-year-old child was in the back seat of the suspect vehicle.
“Thankfully the child was secured and unharmed during the encounter. The child was turned over to a relative who arrived on scene,” police said.
The operator, Dezzarae Gaines age 30 of Utica, was transported to the Utica Police Department to further the investigation. She was charged with attempted assault, criminal mischief, endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated DWI, DWI and multiple motor vehicle violations.