A Washington state woman drove her car onto a residential sidewalk in pursuit of a child on a bicycle, then told deputies she was looking for dogs to socialize with her pets—despite video evidence capturing the entire incident.
Sidewalk Chase Captured on Video
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office released footage showing 56-year-old Wendy Clemente in a silver Ford Focus chasing a juvenile riding a dirt bike on the sidewalk in the 7500 block of South Fruitvale Road in Cheney last month. The video begins with Clemente standing in the middle of the road, honking at the child in her driveway. She swerves toward the boy, who narrowly escapes. After a brief exchange of words, Clemente turns her vehicle around and pursues him directly on the sidewalk, barely avoiding a fire hydrant and bushes before returning to the road.
A neighbor’s audio captures someone screaming in disbelief as the chase unfolds. The video leaves no doubt about the intentional nature of the pursuit. Deputies arrived after receiving reports about the incident, along with a separate burglary call approximately one mile away. The burglary caller reported seeing someone attempting to open doors on live security footage.
Bizarre Explanation and Arrest
When authorities located Clemente and her vehicle, they arrested her for allegedly attempting to run over the child while under the influence. During the arrest, she allegedly attempted to kick a patrol deputy. Her explanation defied the video evidence. Clemente claimed she had taken her dogs for a ride and was searching for other dogs to socialize with them. She insisted she had no knowledge of the child on the bicycle or any pursuit. However, she did admit to consuming alcohol before the incident.
Charges and Release
Authorities booked Clemente into Spokane County Jail on charges of first-degree attempted assault, driving under the influence, and criminal trespass. Despite the serious nature of the charges—including allegedly using a vehicle as a weapon against a child—the court released her on her own recognizance. The decision to release someone accused of pursuing a minor with a two-ton vehicle while intoxicated has raised questions about bail standards. The child was not injured in the incident, though neighbors expressed horror at what could have happened if the boy hadn’t reacted quickly enough to avoid being struck.
