A woman was shot by a University of North Alabama police officer after she allegedly tried to run the officer over with her car July 9.
Police say Jessica Lashae Dye, 28, attempted to run the officer over during a traffic stop near campus, reports the Times Daily. Dye subsequently crashed her car and was transported to a nearby hospital. She is listed in fair condition.
The incident occurred at 3 a.m. in a parking lot next to UNA’s Norton Auditorium. A campus police officer was driving to the UNA campus on an agency assist call when he attempted to pull Dye over.
Police say during the traffic stop, Dye attempted to run over the officer and fled the scene. The officer was then forced to fire several shots, striking the vehicle.
Dye then reportedly crashed her vehicle into a utility pole a few blocks away, knocking down the traffic lights at the intersection. The vehicle ended up on its side, and the officer was able to pull Dye out of the vehicle and perform first aid until paramedics arrived. She was then transferred to Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital.
The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on leave pending the outcome of an investigation.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) will lead the investigation at the request of the UNA Police Department. Florence police and Alabama State Troopers also assisted in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.
“There is one investigation regarding the police officer’s actions and a separate one regarding criminal prosecution of the driver of that vehicle,” Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly told AL.com. “We’re not going to run out and charge the driver without a full and fair investigation into both cases.”
Police say Dye is not a current student at UNA.
The University of North Alabama had a total enrollment of 7,233 students in 2011 and is located in Florence. UNA officers are certified police officers.
