The Lincoln County district attorney filed charges against a Chandler woman for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and leaving the scene of an accident on March 27 after she allegedly hit a neighbor with her car.
Jennifer Helm, 51, was charged with a felony count of assault, battery or assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and one misdemeanorcountofleaving the scene of an accident involving injury after an incident that took place on or around March 23.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Lt. Dax Phipps responded to 9th and Iowa at around 11:50 a.m. regarding a vehicle vs. pedestrian collision called in by the pedestrian. The man alleged that he was hit by a green Jeep which then left the area.
After locating the pedestrian and the driver of the Jeep, the two were questioned by Phipps and Chief Matt Mattheyer, the affidavit said.
Phipps spoke with Helm, who alleged that the man jumped in front of her vehicle, hit the mirror and then fell to the ground. She also complained about him trespassing on her property and allowing his dog to defecate all over the neighborhood. When asked why she left the scene afterwards, Helms said she went to the police department.
Phipps corroborated that she went to City Hall and the police department, however Helm didn’t say what she needed while there and instead stated she would take care of it herself. Helms said she didn’t stay or check on the pedestrian because the “police never help” her.
The pedestrian alleged that he was walking his dog when the woman came outside and began cussing at him. He said she then got in her car and drove to the intersection, where she ran a stop sign and made a U-turn before driving back and allegedly steering her car toward him. He was hit from the front and the force of the collision threw him up on the vehicle’s hood, he said. The man reported that he believes she hit him intentionally.
Phipps reported skid marks in the area where the alleged incident occurred and injuries on the man. Hephotographedanddocumented both. The affidavit reported that Phipps later found a home with security cameras and contacted the resident to see if they caught the incident, which they had. After reviewing the footage, Phipps said it showed the Jeep speeding down the road before running a stop sign and making a U-turn. The vehicle then accelerated. Tires can be heard squealing before a bang or crash.
Phipps arrested Helms and took her to the Lincoln County Jail.