Woman Uses Car to Halt Rampaging Motorist

A suspected drunk driver who knocked over a tree and rammed into a fence Monday at the YMCA was stopped by a recreation instructor from the facility who used her car as a blockade, officials said.

Elma MacLoud, 62, of Laguna Niguel had apparently been drinking in her car in the parking lot of the city’s community park before the accidents occurred in the 29800 block of Crown Valley Parkway, authorities said.

As she was leaving the park, MacLoud lost control of her car and crashed into a 10-foot tree near several workers who were standing in front of the YMCA.

The car then ran over the workers’ tools, sideswiped a fire hydrant and hit a wrought-iron fence near parents and children, officials said.

Even with major damages to her car, MacLoud then headed toward Crown Valley, police said.

A YMCA in-line skating instructor got into her car and chased MacLoud, Sheriff’s Lt. Keith Brown said. The instructor blocked the park exit with her car and MacLoud stopped. The instructor then reached into MacLoud’s car and pulled the keys out of the ignition, a witness said.

Sheriff’s officials later arrived and tried to arrest MacLoud, who was boisterous and resistant, Brown said.

“She refused to get out of the car,” he said. And when police pulled her out, “she was so intoxicated that she was not able to stand on her own.”

While MacLoud was en route to the Orange County Jail, she complained of breathing problems.

Authorities took her to Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo, where she remained hospitalized Monday night.