Newport woman charged with trying to run over deputy with SUV
A Newport Beach woman who allegedly tried to run over an Orange County sheriff’s deputy with her SUV will face attempted murder and aggravated assault charges, prosecutors said.
Authorities say Rebecca Lee McLaughlin, 48, tried to run over the deputy as he patrolled on bicycle at John Wayne Airport Tuesday night. The officer suffered minor cuts and bruises.
Just before the incident, McLaughlin broke through a barricade at an airport parking structure with her SUV and drove through the lot before trying to exit, prosecutors said.
The deputy spotted McLaughlin and tried to stop her. At that point, prosecutors allege she turned her wheel toward him, sped up and hit him.
The officer landed on the hood of the SUV and McLaughlin tried to drive away, said Lt. Jeff Hallock of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
She got just a few feet before running over a curb and hitting a pole. The officer got off the hood and arrested her, Hallock said.
McLaughlin is expected to be arraigned Thursday in Orange County Superior Court. She faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison if convicted.
Twitter: @PalomaEsquivel
Esquivel is a writer for the Los Angeles Times.