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Bullhead Woman Crashes into Cop, Sentenced to 16 Months
A 49-year-old woman from Bullhead, South Dakota, was sentenced to 16 months in custody for assaulting a federal officer with her vehicle. Darla Yellow Earrings was convicted of the crime after a high-speed chase that put the officer’s life at risk.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on July 14, 2013, when an officer responded to assist another officer in locating a maroon-colored Chevrolet Tahoe involved in a hit-and-run earlier that day. As the assisting officer entered the Bullhead community, he observed the Tahoe, driven by Yellow Earrings, approaching his position at a high rate of speed. The officer activated his lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the vehicle, but Yellow Earrings refused to slow down, crossing into his lane and forcing him to swerve to avoid being struck.
The officer had to accelerate rapidly to avoid being hit, and both officers joined in the pursuit, following the Tahoe to a private residence. Once the vehicle had stopped, they were able to place Yellow Earrings in custody.
Yellow Earrings was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 21, 2013, and pled guilty on November 18, 2013. She was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on May 12, 2014, to 16 months of custody, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case. Yellow Earrings was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
The incident highlights the dangers that law enforcement officers face on a daily basis, and the severity of the sentence handed down to Yellow Earrings serves as a reminder of the consequences of such actions.
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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