Drunk Driver HUNTS Down Child With Car

A 56-year-old Washington woman drove her car onto a sidewalk to chase a child on a dirt bike, sparking outrage over impaired driving dangers in suburban neighborhoods.

Story Snapshot

Wendy A. Clemente, 56, allegedly chased a juvenile on a dirt bike with her silver Ford Focus on April 28, 2025, in Spokane County.
Witness cellphone video captured the car mounting the sidewalk in an attempt to hit the child, who escaped unharmed.
25 minutes later, Clemente tried entering a stranger’s home to “socialize” her dog, leading to arrest for attempted assault, DUI, and trespass.
She admitted drinking after initial denial and resisted deputies; released on recognizance pending trial.

Incident Unfolds in Cheney Neighborhood

Spokane County deputies responded to a reckless driver report around 6 p.m. on April 28, 2025, in the 7500 block of South Fruitvale Road, Cheney. Wendy A. Clemente steered her silver Ford Focus onto the sidewalk, targeting a juvenile riding a dirt bike. Witnesses saw the car chase the child briefly before Clemente returned to the road and fled. A cellphone video recorded the pursuit, showing the near-miss.

Trespass Attempt Follows Chase

About 25 minutes after the sidewalk chase, deputies received a residential burglary report one mile away. Clemente approached a stranger’s fenced yard and home, attempting entry. She claimed she sought to socialize her dog with others. Deputies found her car in the driveway. Homeowner reports prompted swift response, linking the incidents through her vehicle and impairment signs.

Arrest and Suspect Statements

Deputies arrested Clemente at the scene. She denied memory of the bike chase and initially rejected alcohol or drug use. Later, she admitted drinking. While entering the patrol car, Clemente tried kicking a deputy, showing resistance. Blood draw results remain pending. Spokane County Jail booked her on first-degree attempted assault, DUI, and first-degree criminal trespass charges.

Court Release Raises Questions

The next day, April 29, 2025, a Spokane County Superior Court commissioner released Clemente on her own recognizance, requiring no bond. This decision aligns with protocols for defendants without violent priors, per Washington Public Defender Association views. Yet, victim advocates like MADD demand zero tolerance, citing the video’s clear felony trajectory. Common sense questions the speed of release given the child’s endangerment.

Broader Context of Impaired Driving Risks

Washington State logs about 12,000 DUI arrests yearly, per NHTSA 2023 data. Spokane County sees frequent impaired driver complaints, including 2023 sidewalk pedestrian chases and 2024 cyclist hits. Dirt bikes on sidewalks violate RCW 46.61.710, fueling tensions. Experts like UW criminologist Dr. Amy Beresford note sidewalk pursuits signal high BAC aggression, with 70% recidivism absent intervention. Sheriff’s Lt. John Hammer stresses video evidence’s prosecution value.

Community and Long-Term Impacts

No injuries occurred, a fact the sheriff’s office called fortunate amid extreme danger. The video release spurred neighborhood vigilance and 500 social shares, amplifying DUI deterrence calls like ignition interlocks. Residents fear impaired drivers; dirt bike users face added scrutiny. This precedent may push stricter Spokane sentencing for vehicular assaults, reinforcing national campaigns against road rage fused with intoxication.