Woman Rams Car Into Calif. Patrol Vehicle

A California Highway Patrol officer suffered minor injuries Tuesday night after a woman purposely rammed her car into his patrol vehicle near Fillmore, authorities said.

According to Ventura County Sheriff's officials, the woman was driving along the 1100 block of Guiberson Road shortly before 7 p.m. when she saw people she knew walking along the side of the road. Officials said the woman tried to hit the people with her car. They were able to get out of the way and were not injured.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jim Aguirre said the people called 911, reported the incident and said they knew the woman was very distraught.

CHP Officer Brandon Mumme responded to the call, and when he arrived, the driver rammed her car into his vehicle, said Sheriff's Capt. Stephen Wade. The officer was able to make an evasive move, but the woman's car struck the rear passenger side of the CHP car.

After the crash, the driver -- Cheree Sanker, 33, of Fillmore -- remained in her vehicle, threatening to kill herself with a knife, Wade said. CHP officers and Sheriff's deputies convinced her to relinquish the knife and leave the vehicle, Wade said.

Officers ultimately removed her from the car at gunpoint.

Sanker was arrested and taken to Ventura County Medical Center, where she was admitted for treatment of a broken leg and arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Wade said.

Mumme, who works out of the CHP's Moorpark station, complained of pain to his abdomen. He was also taken to a local hospital.

The incident remained under investigation today.

Numerous CHP units, along with Ventura County Sheriff's Department deputies and Ventura County firefighters and paramedics responded to the incident. The 1100 block of Guiberson Road was closed while authorities conducted their investigation.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service