Driver arraigned in altercation with officers

6/11/2014

Braithwaite

HANDOUT. NOT BLADE PHOTO.

When Kayla Braithwaite allegedly put her foot on her Jeep‍’s gas pedal, she drove right at one Toledo police officer while another, partially inside the vehicle, was dragged a short distance across a gas station parking lot.

Ms. Braithwaite, 24, of 2915 Glanzman Rd. was arraigned Tuesday morning in Toledo Municipal Court on two counts of felonious assault, resisting arrest, obstructing official business, and traffic offenses. Her bond was set at $100,000 and she remained in the Lucas County jail Monday night.

According to a Toledo police report, Officers Thomas Killen, 36, and Gregory Wallace, 28, were inside Sunoco, 4711 S. Detroit Ave., at 1:45 p.m. Sunday — before actually reporting for duty — when Officer Wallace saw James Miller, who is wanted on a felony domestic violence warrant, at a gas pump.

Officer Wallace approached Mr. Miller and said, “Hey James, come here. I need to talk to you,” according to a police report. The suspect reportedly ran around the vehicle and got into the back seat. The driver, Ms. Braithwaite, started the vehicle. Officer Wallace reached inside to turn off the Jeep when Ms. Braithwaite allegedly fought with the officer and yelled, “You can’t do this, you're off duty. This is illegal,” and then punched Officer Wallace in the face.

Officer Killen stood in front of the vehicle and ordered Ms. Braithwaite to turn off the car. Instead, Mr. Miller allegedly gave Ms. Braithwaite a spare key so she could start the vehicle. Mr. Miller reportedly yelled, “Go, go, go,” and Ms. Braithwaite pushed the gas pedal forcing Officer Killen to jump out of the way to avoid being hit, according to a police report.

Officer Wallace was still partially inside the Jeep and was dragged a short distance across the parking lot before he could free himself. Police said there were two young children in the Jeep at the time. Neither officer was seriously injured.

Toledo police Detective Kermit Quinn, who was off duty, happened to be at the gas station and witnessed the incident.

“What are the odds that you’d have another police officer there witnessing the entire incident?” Detective Quinn said.

Ms. Braithwaite was arrested Monday at 6:43 p.m. at Cherry Street and Condley Drive after she allegedly ran a stop sign and did not use her turn signal, according to a police report.

Mr. Miller, 27, of the Glanzman address, has not been arrested, although he was charged with assault, resisting arrest, and obstructing official business. He is also still wanted for domestic violence from a May 21 incident.

According to court documents, Ms. Braithwaite accused Mr. Miller, her boyfriend, of grabbing her by the throat and dragging her across the floor before biting her on the lip.

Contact Taylor Dungjen at tdungjen@theblade.com, or 419-724-6054, or on Twitter @taylordungjen.