Woman attempts carjacking, accidentally jumps into reserve deputy's car

A 21-year-old woman who ran from Hamilton County sheriff's deputies on Highway 58 early Tuesday morning tried to get away by carjacking a vehicle - but accidentally jumped into a reserve deputy's car, according to court records.

Elizabeth Patterson was initially stopped after a deputy saw her running with a man across Highway 58 near Decatur around 7 a.m. Tuesday. The deputy said he stopped them because they posed a hazard to themselves and motorists.

But Patterson ran and initially eluded officers. Then, reserve deputy Kevin Ritchey spotted a woman jumping a guardrail nearby on Highway 58.

Reserve deputies are volunteers who undergo 131 hours of training and work at least 20 hours a month at the sheriff's office. Ritchey was driving a civilian vehicle when he spotted Patterson. It's unclear whether he was scheduled to volunteer at that time or simply happened to be nearby.

Either way, Ritchey called the deputies who were searching for Patterson and let them know what he'd seen. Deputy Joshua Richmond got into his patrol car and headed toward Ritchey.

Ritchey, meanwhile, pulled up to Patterson and asked her if she was OK.

But just then, Richmond's patrol car pulled up behind them and the woman jumped into the passenger seat of Ritchey's car and shouted for him to drive away.

Ritchey did not.

Richmond came up to the passenger side door and tried to pull Patterson out of the vehicle, but she fought him. So Ritchey hopped out of the driver's seat, identified himself as a law enforcement officer and tried to help Richmond control Patterson, according to court records.

However, he apparently left the car running, because Patterson slid into the driver's seat and started to drive away.

She dragged Ritchey and Richmond several feet before they managed to put the car in park. Patterson continued to fight the men, kicking and biting them as she tried to take back control of the vehicle.

Richmond then tased Patterson in the back, which allowed the deputies to handcuff her.

She was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on police, resisting arrest, carjacking and criminal impersonation. She was also wanted on outstanding warrants and gave a false name, date of birth and social security number to deputies.

She was booked into the Hamilton County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 6.

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has about 48 reserve deputies on the force.

Contact staff writer Shelly Bradbury at 423-747-6525 or sbradbury@timesfreepress.com with tips or story ideas. Follow @ShellyBradbury.

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