Fort Hall woman allegedly pushes deputy into canal with her pickup during pursuit
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BINGHAM COUNTY — A 20-year-old Fort Hall woman is facing multiple charges after a reported stolen alcoholic beverage incident led to a high-speed chase and an officer getting hit by her vehicle and falling off a bridge by a canal.
Annaleece Deluna has been charged with felony aggravated battery, felony fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, misdemeanor driving under the influence (second offense within 10 years), misdemeanor consuming or possessing an open container by a driver, and misdemeanor resisting arrest.
Prosecutors are also seeking a sentencing enhancement for the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony, which has been listed as a vehicle.
According to court documents filed by the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, the situation happened on Saturday, Dec. 7, around 11:30 p.m. A Bingham County deputy received a call that a theft had just occurred at the Maverik gas station on Bridge Street.
The reporting party had said that the suspect had taken a case of Twisted Tea and took off in a white pickup truck, which was later identified as a Dodge Ram.
The deputy found the truck driving south on Highway 91 near Meridian and initiated a traffic stop. The deputy observed a case of Twisted Tea on the back floorboard wrapped in a hoodie. Court documents said there were open bottles of whiskey in the center console, too. Two women were in the vehicle. The driver was later identified as Deluna.
A strong odor of alcohol was coming from the truck, and the deputy said that Deluna had very slow movements, was slurring her words and her eyes were barely open.
The deputy had asked for her driver’s license but Deluna started to put her keys back in the ignition and rev the engine. According to documents, she put the vehicle in drive, then spun out, throwing rocks all over the deputy and the patrol vehicle. The deputy then went after her.
She drove south on Diggie Road, allegedly reaching speeds of over 90 miles per hour. Court documents say the speed limit on Diggie Road is 35 miles per hour. She then stalled out on a bridge around the area of Diggie and Sandy roads.
Another deputy joined the scene to help; however, the vehicle started again and spun out. When this happened, the bed of the truck hit one of the deputies, and pushed the deputy off of the side of the bridge onto the bank of the canal, according to documents.
The extent of the deputy’s injuries are unclear.
Deluna hit a pipe on the northwest side of the bridge and a support cable for a power pole with the truck. She drove down into the field after that and stalled out again.
Deputies caught up with her and opened the driver’s door. She would not get out of the pickup, so she was removed and placed on the ground, and put in handcuffs, documents said.
As for the passenger, she reportedly cooperated and stayed in the vehicle with her hands up.
Law enforcement asked for Deluna’s name, and she would not give it at first.
She was then transported to the Bingham County Jail. She was asked by law enforcement to provide a breath or blood sample. She said no, according to court documents. Deputies also learned that Deluna had a DUI conviction previously.
Deluna was given a $100,000 bond. She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. at the Bingham County Courthouse. EastIdahoNews.com reached out to her attorney for her side of the story. If we hear back, we will add a statement.
In a separate case, Deluna was also charged with misdemeanor commercial burglary for the incident involving allegedly stealing Twisted Tea from Maverik.
Though Deluna has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean she committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.