Judge Denied Mental Help For Driver Who Rammed Capitol Police Cruiser: Family

WASHINGTON, DC — A family member of a woman arrested Wednesday after reportedly ramming a U.S. Capitol police cruiser and then nearly running over several officers said she suffers from mental health problems, but that a judge denied the family's request to get her the help she needed before the incident.

Around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Capitol police said 20-year-old Taleah Everett was driving "erratically" on Independence Avenue. When they tried to pull her over, they said she made a U-turn near the U.S. Botanic Gardens and sped away, crashing into a police cruiser and nearly running over several officers. Shots were fired at the car, but no one was struck and there were no injuries.

Authorities were finally able to stop Everett's car near Third Avenue and Independence Avenue around 9:45 a.m., and take her into custody.

The incident caused Independence Avenue to be closed until after 12 p.m., though the Capitol remained open.

WTOP reports that a family member, identified as Bonnie Everett, the suspect's aunt, said that her niece suffers from depression and psychotic behavior, but has been unable to get the help she desperately needs.

Bonnie told NBC4 she recently filed a petition with the courts in Prince George's County, Maryland, to get Taleah an emergency mental health evaluation, but that the judge denied the request.

Everett has been charged with seven counts of assault on a police officer and two counts of destruction of property, as well as fleeing, leaving after colliding, and driving without a valid permit.

Everett was expected to appear in court on Thursday, WTOP reports.