Washington woman charged with attempting to run down juvenile biker, enter stranger’s home while drunk

A Spokane County, Washington woman was arrested after deputies say she tried to run down a kid riding a dirtbike, then later attempted to enter a stranger’s home while drunk. Deputies were called to the 7500 block of South Fruitvale Road at around 6:05 pm after reports of a reckless and aggressive driver. Video shows a silver sedan, allegedly driven by Wendy A. Clemente, 56, onto the sidewalk in an attempt to hit a juvenile rider before chasing the child along the sidewalk and fleeing the scene. The juvenile was not struck or injured.

Witnesses provided deputies with cellphone video of the incident, giving investigators probable cause to search for the driver. Around 25 minutes later, deputies were called to a possible residential burglary roughly a mile away, in the 10700 block of West Melville Road. The homeowner, who was not present, told authorities he was watching live security footage of a suspect trying door handles at his residence.

Deputies arrived and found Clemente and her silver Ford Focus parked in the victim’s driveway. She was arrested at the scene. After being advised of her rights, Clemente allegedly told deputies she had taken her dog for a ride to find other dogs to socialize with. She said she saw dogs in the victim’s fenced yard and stopped, but denied knowing the homeowner or trying to enter the residence.

When asked about the attempt to run down the juvenile, she claimed she did not remember it. Deputies noted signs of impairment. Clemente initially denied consuming alcohol or drugs, but later admitted to drinking, according to authorities. When deputies attempted to place her in a patrol vehicle, she resisted and allegedly tried to kick a deputy.

A search warrant was later granted to obtain a blood sample for testing. She was booked into the Spokane County Jail on charges of attempted first-degree assault, DUI, and first-degree criminal trespass following the April 28 incident. Despite the charges, Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner N. Swennumson ordered Clemente released on her own recognizance the following day.