(QUEEN CITY NEWS) – A 25-year-old Charlotte woman is facing felony charges after Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police say she struck an officer with her car during a street takeover.
Tanaza Michelle Austin is charged with felony assault on a government official with a deadly weapon, according to Mecklenburg County court documents.
CMPD said officers responded to a 911 call outside Harris Teeter at 4701 Smith Farm Road around 3:25 a.m. on Sunday, March 1.
Some callers reported vehicles making donuts in the parking lot.
Street takeover outside grocery store
When CMPD officers arrived, they encountered what they described as a street takeover and began attempting to clear the lot. According to court documents, a CMPD officer got out of his patrol car and approached a black Kia Optima driven by Austin who was trying to leave.
Investigators said Austin initially stopped. As the officer walked in front of the vehicle and approached the driver’s side, the vehicle accelerated, striking him and causing him to flip over on the hood.
CMPD officer obtains vehicle license plate
CMPD said the officer was wearing full uniform and gave verbal commands to stop. He was standing directly in front of the vehicle and Austin had a clear view of him before he was struck, documents state. Despite being struck, officers were able to identify Austin as the driver by radioing the vehicle’s license plate as it left the parking lot, CMPD said.
The CMPD officer was transported to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Austin was booked into the Mecklenburg County Jail on March 2. She was released at 3 a.m. on March 3 after posting $3,000 bail, according to court records.
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