Man Who Ran Down Woman, Attacked Officer In Irvine Sentenced

IRVINE, CA — A 69-year-old Orange County man pleaded guilty Tuesday and was sentenced to 13 years in prison for running over a woman on a walk in Irvine and then attacking a police officer who tried to arrest him.

Orange resident Thomas Robert Tucker was driving a Ford Escape shortly before 9 p.m. Aug. 24, 2021 when he turned the wheel toward a woman out for a walk at Spyrock and Masterson, according to the Irvine Police Department.

Tucker revved the engine before driving toward the woman, who tried to run away but was struck on a driveway, where she suffered cuts and scapes, police said.

According to authorities, Tucker did not know the woman. He left the scene and when he was later stopped by a patrol officer, he backed into the squad car intentional, police said.

Tucker pleaded guilty to attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and assault with a weapon on a peace officer, all felonies, with a sentencing enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury on the pedestrian, according to court records.

As part of the plea deal a sentencing enhancement for attempted premeditated murder, that would have carried a life sentence, was dismissed.

City News Service contributed to this report.