MD Woman Bites Cop After Driving Wrong Way On PA Turnpike: Police

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PA — A Maryland woman is facing charges after authorities said she drove the wrong way on the Pennsylvania Turnpike before assaulting a state trooper, according to police and a report.

Margot Bass, 53, of Takoma Park, was arrested shortly before 1 a.m. Thursday after Turnpike Commission employees contacted state police and reported she was driving her Audi Q5 in reverse and in the wrong direction on the Turnpike’s westbound side near Hampton Township in Allegheny County, according to a Pennsylvania State Police news release.

When troopers arrived, they found Bass' car parked and blocking one lane, according to a criminal complaint obtained by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

In their report, state police said Bass refused to roll down her window or get out of the car. She also refused to provide police with any information, the release said. After several attempts, troopers forced their way into Bass' car by breaking the window, the Trib reported.

At that point, Bass attempted to drag the trooper's arm along the broken glass, which caused cuts to his arm and hand, according to the Trib's report. She also tried to bite, kick, and scratch the officer, the report said.

Troopers arrested Bass and took her to a hospital for a mental health evaluation, state police said.

According to the criminal complaint obtained by the Trib, Bass was charged with felony assault, two counts of resisting arrest, and one count of driving in the wrong direction on a one-way road.

A hearing date has not been scheduled.