By Jim Tuttle
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. — A Greencastle woman is in jail for allegedly kicking a state trooper in the groin and head-butting another in the face Friday after she was arrested for driving under the influence.
Leah Lillian Ellison, 30, of 35 W. Franklin St., is charged with DUI, driving with a suspended license, two counts of aggravated assault and disorderly conduct.
Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday in Franklin County Central Court.
According to affidavits filed by Pennsylvania State Police, Chambersburg, Troopers Kevin Goss and Alex Grote began following Ellison’s Jeep after they saw it traveling erratically on South Second Street in Chambersburg.
The Jeep’s left-turn signal was activated, but it made no turn for several blocks, according to police. The vehicle was seen traveling in a parking lane, turning onto Liberty Street and striking a curb. Police activated the cruiser’s lights and Ellison got out of her Jeep.
The troopers said they noticed “an extremely strong smell” of alcohol coming from Ellison, who had bloodshot eyes and walked with a stagger.
“She related that she was drunk and attempted to walk away from me,” the affidavit signed by Goss states. “She became uncooperative with me, relating several times that she was drunk and did not want to go to jail.”
She eventually performed two field sobriety tests, failing both. The troopers arrested her and took her to Chambersburg Hospital for a blood test. As they were bringing her into the emergency room, she allegedly “became violent and out of control.”
Police said Ellison kicked over “wet floor” signs in the waiting room and spit in Goss’ face. Police interpreted her behavior as a refusal to submit to a blood test, so she was escorted out of the hospital to a patrol car. She allegedly refused to get in the car and became combative.
When Goss attempted to get her in the car, Ellison kicked him in the groin, according to the affidavit. She is also accused of head-butting Grote in the mouth, giving him a swollen lip.
Ellison was taken to Franklin County Jail and arraigned at 8:10 a.m. before on-call Magisterial District Judge David Plum, according to online court records. She remains incarcerated in lieu of $25,000 bail.
Copyright 2011 Public Opinion