CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A woman faces multiple charges that she hit an officer with her vehicle and bit an officer after refusing to stop for the Clarksville Half Marathon on Saturday.
At about 8:45 a.m., Clarksville Police Sgt. Joel Gibbons was working traffic control to protect participants of the Clarksville Half Marathon, according to police spokesman Scott Beaubien. As runners approached University Avenue and Franklin Street, Gibbons stopped traffic to allow the runners to pass safely.
A motorist, identified as 22-year-old Zoie Gaines, was in a parking lot across from University Landing trying to exit onto Franklin Street. After being instructed to stop, Gaines initially paused but then accelerated forward, striking Gibbons and causing him to land on the hood of her vehicle, Beaubien said. Gaines then tried to flee by putting the vehicle in reverse.
Gibbons and Officer Robinson pursued the vehicle on foot, giving repeated commands for Gaines to stop. She eventually complied but resisted the officers as they tried to take her into custody. During the struggle, Gaines bit Robinson on the finger, Beaubien said.
Gaines was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and charged with aggravated assault against a first responder, assault against a first responder, evading arrest in a vehicle, and two counts of resisting arrest.
Both officers were treated on scene by Montgomery County EMS and did not require further medical attention.
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