A Prospect Park woman has been charged with ramming a police vehicle and leading officers into a pursuit onto Interstate 95, all while her 8-year-old son was in the car
Jamie N. Wadsworth, 42, of the 200 block of Mackenzie Avenue, was arrested Thursday night in middle of I-95 south after her car was boxed in by police and the heavy traffic on the highway, according to police.
The boy’s father was summoned to the scene, and the youth was turned over to him.
Wadsworth was arraigned on 17 charges, including felony fleeing police, aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children. The Pennsylvania courts portal indicates that she was arraigned on the charges, but neither bail nor incarceration information was evident on Friday afternoon.
“I am disgusted by her actions,” says Prospect Park Police Chief David Madonna in an email. “In addition to endangering our officers, she elected to drive in the most reckless of manners with her 8-year-old son in the vehicle.”
Officer Michael C. Slowik’s account of the incident:
He and an Officer Davis attempted to serve a protection-from-abuse order on Wadsworth at her residence about 7:30 p.m. Thursday. They did not make contact with her and were preparing to leave when Wadsworth came barreling down the street.
Slowik said he had to make evasive maneuvers to avoid having his vehicle being struck from behind. Wadsworth passed by and passed Davis’ vehicle.
Wadsworth turned left onto Madison Avenue as officers followed with lights and sirens as Wadsworth ran stop signs all the way to Chester Pike. Once at Chester Pike, she was unable to proceed with another vehicle stopped.
Slowik pulled in behind and Davis in front. Wadsworth “berated” Slowik, saying her husband “is a Pagan and we can’t stop her.” She threw her car into reverse and it rammed Slowik’s vehicle.
She was able to drive away and the chase continued on Chester Pike and Lincoln Avenue before getting onto the interstate “where she was met with heavy traffic conditions.”
“Wadsworth attempted to weave in and out of traffic before being boxed in by police and civilian traffic.”
A struggle to get her out of the car ensued and that’s when police noticed there was a boy in the front seat.
He “was so small his head was unable to crest the window sill of the vehicle and his face (was) directly aligned with the air bags.” The boy’s name is being withheld by the Daily Times.
Wadsworth tried to run but was eventually subdued and taken into custody.
Her vehicle had moderate damage. Slowik’s vehicle also was damaged.
The boy was unharmed, but visibly frightened.
“I am so grateful and proud that our officers were able to stop her in a manner in which no injuries were sustained by her, the child, or the public,” Madonna added. “One officer is experiencing knee pain as a result of the incident.”
