Woman Accused of Hitting Cobb Sheriff's Deputies Indicted

This story was reported by Patch Field Editor Rodney Thrash.

A Cobb County grand jury has indicted the driver accused of striking two Cobb County Sheriff's Office deputies last month.

The Marietta Daily Journal reports that Candida Rychell Summerlin, 32, of Marietta could face more than 100 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

She originally faced 27 charges in connection with May 31 incident, but the grand jury indicted her on 13 counts, according to the MDJ.

Charges include two counts each of malice murder, felony murder, hit-and-run, criminal damage to property in the first degree and aggravated assault on a police officer, and one count each of aggravated battery, fleeing from police and interference with government property.

About 1 p.m. May 31, Lt. Becky Westenberger was trying to talk to Summerlin, 32, about the loud music coming from her car, Cobb Chief Deputy Milton Beck told Patch that day. Westenberger asked Summerlin to move the blue 2012 Chevrolet Cruze from a parking space in front of the Cobb County Adult Detention Work Release Center to the public parking lot across the street.

After Summerlin backed out of the space, she allegedly "aimed the front of her car at Lt. Westenberger, revved up her engine repeatedly in a threatening manner, rapidly accelerated and purposely (ran) the car into Lt. Westenberger" with "the front bumper of the vehicle," according to the warrant.

The impact sent Westenberger "airborne" and left her with bruises, cuts, abrasions and "a broken lower leg which must be surgically repaired," according to the warrant.

Summerlin tried to drive away when Sgt. Shane Kite went to stop her, Beck said. Summerlin allegedly ignored his commands, crossed over the center of the lane and struck him in the legs and arms.

Everything was captured on jail security cameras, according to the warrant.

Both deputies were taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital with scrapes, bruises and other injuries.

"Sgt. Shane Kite was released (Friday) evening and was treated for minor injuries," said Nancy Bodiford, a Cobb sheriff's spokeswoman. "Lt. Becky Westenberger underwent surgery for her (broken) leg (Friday) night and is doing well."

Authorities apprehended Summerlin when she lost control of her vehicle, ran over a couple of signs and hit the curb, Beck said. The axle on the car broke. Tires popped. And the car became disabled. Turns out, the car wasn't Summerlin's personal vehicle, but a rental from Hertz, according to the warrant.

Summerlin had just been released from the Cobb County Adult Detention Center on May 27 on charges that included simple battery and willful obstruction of a law enforcement officer.