Woman allegedly spits on deputy jailer

A Keavy woman, who was arrested for DUI Saturday evening, allegedly spit on a deputy jailer after she was transported to the Whitley County Detention Center, according to a sheriff’s department release.

About 9 p.m., Sgt. Kirk Mays responded to Kersey Road after Whitley County E911 received a complaint that a vehicle was playing loud music in the roadway.

When Mays arrived, he observed a white 1999 Volkswagen in the road, which was occupied by a female driver.

“Light smoke was coming from under the hood and the engine sounded as if the gas pedal was fully compressed,” Sheriff Colan Harrell wrote in the release.

Mays then observed a woman behind the wheel, who appeared to be passed out, the release noted.

“When she became alert, she turned combative and the vehicle started rolling towards Sgt. Mays’ cruiser,” Harrell wrote.

Deputies James Fox and Jonas Saunders also responded to assist as Mays attempted to control the Volkswagen.

The driver, Hope Singleton, had to be removed from the vehicle and resisted arrest. The vehicle had a smell of alcoholic beverage and a bottle of liquor was found in the floorboard, the release stated.

Singleton allegedly refused to perform field sobriety tests, and kicked one of the police cruiser’s rear windows.

When she arrived at the Whitley County Detention Center, Singleton had to be placed in a restraint chair, the release noted.

While she was in a holding area, she allegedly spit on a detention center employee, who was identified in an arrest citation as Deputy Jailer Irene Elliott.

Singleton, 37, was charged with driving while under the influence, third-degree assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, possession of an open alcoholic beverage container, operating a motor vehicle on a suspended license, driving without insurance and expired vehicle registration in connection with the incident.

She pleaded not guilty to the third-degree assault charge during her arraignment Monday afternoon in Whitley District Court.

District Judge Cathy Prewitt set a $5,000 cash bond and scheduled a May 31 preliminary hearing in her case.