Young sentenced for hitting deputy with her vehicle

BONNERS FERRY - A Sandpoint woman was sentenced to 16 days in jail for injuring a Boundary County Sheriff's deputy after she struck him with her car following a high-speed chase on March 7.

Deputy Willie Eddy was treated at Boundary Community Hospital for shoulder and neck injuries after Lorelee Young, 46, of Sandpoint hit Eddy with her vehicle as she attempted to flee. Young was drinking and driving.

"This case certainly isn't a normal case, you have no criminal history at all," District Judge James R. Michaud told Young.

"A lot of people in our society mess up every once in a while. You are fortunate this didn't turn out a lot worse."

A Bonners Ferry Police officer spotted Young's 1985 Toyota 4-Runner at the top of the Peterson Hill, traveling 70 mph. The officer tried to stop the driver, and a 3 1/2-mile chase followed.

The police officer then called the sheriff's department for assistance. Eddy stopped traffic in the southbound lane of Highway 95 at Bear Creek Lodge, just south of Bonners Ferry.

After the driver tried to flee the scene twice, the officer, fearing for the safety of numerous vehicles in the vicinity, shot the left front tire on the 4-Runner to prevent it from leaving, according to a news release from the sheriff's department.

Young plead guilty to misdemeanor drinking and driving, and felony fleeing from an officer.