Carmichaels woman charged with striking two state police cars during chase
Cumberland Township police said a driver fled a traffic stop this past weekend near Carmichaels and led police on a chase that ended on Interstate 79 after she allegedly struck two state police vehicles and then swung a knife at officers.
Police said Jody Dulaney, 40, of Carmichaels, was driving on Route 21 near High Strung Racing about 2:45 p.m. Sunday when she drove her sport-utility vehicle onto the road’s shoulder. As she continued down the road, police said she repeatedly drove on the opposite side of the road, unable to stay in one designated lane before almost stricking cones in a construction zone.
When the Cumberland Township police officer initiated the cruiser’s emergency lights and sirens, Dulaney failed to stop, resulting in the officer requesting more units. Dulaney continued to lead police on the chase along Route 188 through Jefferson Borough where two other cars joined the pursuit.
Police attempted to get in front of the SUV, causing in Dulaney driving onto a home’s property. Police said they tried to block in and approach the vehicle.
Police said that Dulaney tried to strike the approaching officer with her vehicle and drove off the property, eventually driving toward I-79 before heading north on the highway.
At this time, two more state police cars joined the chase and made the decision to block Dulaney’s vehicle, which resulted in Dulaney allegedly striking two state police cruisers in an attempt to escape, investigators said.
As officers approached her vehicle, police said Dulaney started swinging a knife, forcing an officer to discharge his Taser. Police said Dulaney then attempted to pick up the knife again and an officer gave her another five-second cycle of the Taser.
Police said that they could smell strong alcoholic odor, her speech was slurred and her eyes were red and glossy. Dulaney refused to submit to a chemical breath test, police said.
Dulaney was transported to Washington Health System-Greene and later charged with aggravated assault of an officer, fleeing or attempting to elude officer, driving under the influence, resisting arrest and multiple traffic citations.
District Judge Lee Watson arraigned Dulaney and she was taken to the Greene County jail on $80,000 bond.