A woman with a suspended driver’s license and an active warrant struck allegedly fled the scene of two crashes — including rear-ending an Atlantic City police officer.
Destinee Carpenter, 19, of Atlantic City, was found hiding behind a dumpster near her car, parked in the lot of Angelo’s Fairmont Tavern, police said.
Sgt. Jody Hersh had just gone off duty and was in his personal vehicle when the continued honking of a car’s horn behind him got his attention.
The driver, later identified as Carpenter, sped around a car by going into the shoulder of Arctic Avenue near Texas Avenue School as children were behind dismissed shortly after 3 p.m., Sgt. Kevin Fair said.
Once behind Hersh’s car, she continued honking her horn, so he got out to see if she needed help.
Instead, Carpenter began yelling at Hersh — still in his police uniform — to move his car.
She then put her car into reverse, and sped off, nearly striking Hersh and another vehicle, according to the report.
Hersh started to follow her, notifying responding officers of her direction, Fair said.
Carpenter then turned onto the 100 block of North Mississippi Avenue, striking a vehicle and continuing on.
Hersh stopped to give medical aid to the 17-year-old Atlantic City male driver. The teen was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s City Campus for non-life threatening injuries.
Witnesses then told Hersh which way the woman fled.
Officers Alberto Valles and Chris Dodson found the car in the parking lot of Angelo’s Fairmount Tavern. Carpenter was found behind a dumpster, and was arrested.
She had an active warrant for her arrest and her state driving privileges had been suspended.
Carpenter was charged with eluding, contempt of court, improper use of the horn, improper passing, driving while suspended, failure to report an accident, careless driving, reckless driving and leaving the scene of accident.
She was released on a summons with a future court date.
Anyone who witnessed or has information about these accidents is asked to call Atlantic City’s Accident Investigations Section at 609-347-5744. Information may also be texted anonymously to tip411 (847411), beginning the text with ACPD.
