Woman arrested for DWI, tries to escape

(Photo Source: Kevin L. Smith of The Cortland Voice).

A Pennsylvania woman was arrested this past Saturday evening for driving while intoxicated (DWI) and tried to escape from her arrest in the process, according to a City of Cortland Police Department report.

The report states that at 8:48 p.m. Saturday, city police stopped Christa Leigh Alexander, 51, of Mansville, Pa., on Port Watson Street for a vehicle and traffic violation. Alexander was “found to be intoxicated” and arrested for DWI, the report notes.

While at the police station, Alexander “became belligerent” and “attempted to escape by slipping her handcuffs off one of her wrists and running up the stairs” in an attempt “to get out of the building,” the report states.

City police managed to stop Alexander and bring her back into custody. In the process of bringing her back into custody, Alexander dug her fingernails into a police officer’s arm. The officer suffered three small cuts and started bleeding, but was not further injured, the report notes.

Alexander has been charged with second-degree obstructing governmental administration (a Class-A Misdemeanor), third-degree escape (a Class-A Misdemeanor), second-degree harassment and failure to use a designated lane (both violations), and aggravated DWI (Greater than .18 BAC) and driving while intoxicated (both misdemeanors).

Alexander was arraigned and released on one’s own recognizance. She is scheduled to appear in city court on June 6.