Driver Taken To ER After Trying To Elude Stafford Co. Sheriff's Deputy

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — A King George woman was taken to the emergency room Wednesday night after experiencing a panic attack while a Stafford County sheriff's deputy took her into custody, according to authorities.

Just before midnight, a deputy responded to 54 White Oak Road to investigate the report of an intoxicated driver, according to the incident report. The deputy learned that a vehicle was driving erratically without headlights, presenting a danger to vehicles on the other side of the road. The deputy tried to make a traffic stop but the driver continued on.

"Contact was made after two attempts to disable the vehicle," according to the report. "After being commanded to exit the vehicle, the driver proceeded to climb out of the vehicle's window to sit on the roof of their car before moving to the hood of the patrol vehicle. The driver was then taken into custody and placed under arrest. Signs of impairment were indicated before the driver began suffering a panic attack and was subsequently transported to the ER."

The driver, identified as 33-year-old Gabrielle Katzbahn of King George, was arrested and charged for driving under the influence, felony eluding, malicious shooting or throwing missiles at an occupied vehicle, and driving without headlights," according to the sheriff's office. She was then held at the Magistrates’ Office without bond.

Katzbahn was arraigned Thursday morning in Stafford General District Court and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for 1 p.m. on March 26, according to court records.

The malicious shooting or throwing missiles at an occupied vehicle charge is a Class 4 felony. If Katzbahn is convicted on this charge, she faces a potential sentence of two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000, under Virginia law.