Deputy Crashes Car In Santee After Woman Tries To Escape From Backseat

SANTEE, CA — A deputy crashed a San Diego County Sheriff's Department vehicle after a detained woman tried to escape from the backseat of the car, authorities said.

The crash happened shortly after 11:30 a.m. Monday at the intersection of Mission Gorge Road and North Magnolia Avenue in Santee, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The deputy was driving Juliette Espinoza, 21, back to Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee from Alvarado Hospital Medical Center in San Diego when she tried to get out of the vehicle.

"The individual in the backseat became aggressive and worked her way out of her seat belt restraint," sheriff's Lt. David Ladieu said. "She began kicking the rear passenger window in an attempt to escape custody."

The deputy activated his vehicle's emergency equipment but collided with a Honda while turning onto Mission Gorge Road, Ladieu said. He was not injured in the crash.

The driver of the Honda was not injured, while the passenger of the car scraped their leg, Ladieu said.

Espinoza was taken to a hospital for a complaint of pain and later released with no injuries.

She was initially booked Saturday into Las Colinas on suspicion of drug-related charges. After the crash, she was booked on a new charge of attempting to escape.