A 44-year-old woman has been arrested after allegedly ramming a police officer’s car while evading capture. 

Diane Carol Priester, from 100 Mile House, was wanted for a series of crimes she is accused of committing across the Southern Interior, including in Kelowna and Salmon Arm. 

Police were told of her presence in Ashcroft on Sunday at about 10 pm, and a frontline officer soon spotted her Honda Civic hatchback along Hwy 97C.

The Mountie tried to apprehend the suspect, who had driven the car into a residential driveway to avoid police. 

When the officer blocked off the suspect’s exit, the RCMP alleges that she accelerated towards the marked police car and smashed into it. 

“The officer emerged from his damaged cruiser and ordered the female suspect out of her vehicle,” said Cpl Jesse O’Donaghey. 

“The woman ignored the officer’s commands and continued to accelerate in an attempt to push through the blockade. 

“She eventually turned off the vehicles ignition, but when the officer went to reposition, she re-started her engine, suddenly reversed and accelerated towards the police officer and crashed through the blockage.”

Cpl O’Donaghey added: “It is very fortunate that our officer managed to jump onto the hood of his cruiser, and wasn’t seriously injured in the confrontation.”

The suspect then headed up the highway to Clinton, where officers deployed a spike belt and captured her. 

She has now been charged with:

• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle

• Flight from police

• Assault of a police officer with a weapon

• Resisting or obstructing a peace officer

• Possessing stolen property valued under $5,000

• Possessing a break-in instrument

• Two counts of breaching a release order

She will make an appearance at the courthouse in Kamloops on Feb. 20. 

Anyone with any additional information is asked to contact the Ashcroft RCMP at 250-453-2216.