Arrest in Happy Camp stolen bucket truck accident.

My pole partners dad told him this story because he knows the lineman that was injured in December. I googled it and couldn't believe it...here it is, and the link:

http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/news/x1440918293/Woman-accused-of-Happy-Camp-truck-theft-arraigned

Yreka, Calif. —March 25th



After three months of evading arrest, a suspect has been apprehended in connection to the Dec. 29 theft of a Pacific Power truck while the employee was in the truck’s extended bucket fixing a power line on Indian Creek Road in Happy Camp.
Sonia Victorine Donahue, 39, of Happy Camp, was taken into custody on March 25. She was arraigned in the Siskiyou County Superior Court on Wednesday in a courtroom that was packed with supporters of the victim. Siskiyou County Public Defender Rachael O’Connor was assigned to represent Donahue.
According to a press release issued by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Donahue fled from traffic officers prior to her arrest.
The incident began when officials from the CHP and Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on State Route 96 west of Happy Camp for a registration violation.
While the driver was standing outside the vehicle, the release alleges that Donahue was hiding under a tarp inside the car and she was with her child. She allegedly slipped into the driver’s seat and attempted to flee.
According to the release, a CHP officer pursued and the suspect failed to yield and traveled the wrong way in the westbound lane.
“The suspect’s small child was in the vehicle with her and she drove in such a manner as to endanger the life of the child,” the release stated.
Siskiyou County Deputy District Attorney Martha Aker, who is the prosecutor in this case, confirmed that the child is a year old.
According to the release, the suspect allegedly drove onto a private property known as the Aubrey Ranch and then willfully drove into a private cemetery causing extensive damage.
At that point, Donahue allegedly abandoned the vehicle (and her child) and then fled on foot toward the Klamath River.
“After tripping and falling, the suspect simulated that she had a gun and threatened to kill herself – yelling that the officers would never take her alive,” the release continued.
The CHP officer, with the assistance of a Department of Fish and Game warden, attempted to get the suspect to surrender.
However, “The suspect was defiant and continued in her attempt to instigate use of deadly force,” the release stated.
The suspect was taken into custody after a Siskiyou County Sheriff’s canine was deployed.
Donahue had been sought by officials since December when she allegedly stole a Pacific Power truck while the employee was fixing a power line from the extended bucket.
The employee was elevated approximately 30-feet in the air when Donahue allegedly entered the cab and attempted to drive away.
According to CHP reports, the employee was able to terminate the vehicle ignition by remote and momentarily prevented the woman from operating the vehicle. However, Donahue allegedly continued to attempt to start the vehicle and ultimately was successful.
It is alleged she sped away, and the truck bucket struck a power pole, causing the 51-year-old employee to fall to the ground. The truck was found several days later.
For the December incident, Donahue is charged with felony car-jacking, assault likely to produce great bodily injury, false imprisonment by use of violence, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, reckless driving causing injury, and a number of special allegations due to the victim’s injuries.
As a result of the incidents on the day of her arrest, Donahue faces additional felony charges of evading officers with willful disregard and endangering the safety of a child with special allegations.
At her arraignment, she entered a plea of not guilty.
Donahue also has two other pending misdemeanor cases involving charges of resisting and obstructing a peace officer, possession of marijuana, and petty theft.
The victim’s wife spoke at the arraignment of her husband’s medical condition, and she described substantial injuries.
“He is in a constant battle for his life,” said the tearful woman.
She said that her husband sustained a broken neck, a broken arm, and soft tissue damage to both knees. The victim has persevered two back surgeries, he has had pneumonia, and he has had to remain on antibiotics due to infection.
The victim is currently in a nursing home, and he is learning to walk again. On top of his serious injuries, she said that her husband suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“This is just an insane incident,” said Aker.
She asked Superior Court Judge Donald Langford to set Donahue’s bail at $500,000 due to the nature of the charges.
“We believe that this defendant is an extreme danger to the public and an extreme flight risk,” said Aker.
O’Connor asked Langford to set Donahue’s bail for the statutory amount, and she pointed out the her client is without means, and will not likely post bail.
“I have before me very serious allegations and very serious acts that resulted in significant injury,” said Langford. “There is a clear propensity on the part of the defendant to flee.”
Langford set Donahue’s bail for $350,000.
He scheduled her preliminary hearing for Apr. 12, and it is estimated to last one day. At the hearing, the judge will determine whether there is sufficient evidence for the charges to stand.

Wow! only 39 years old... must'ev been 39 really tough years!

I saw someone else posted the web site of the arrest buried in some other thread earlier today.