Deputy struck by shoplifting suspect who tried to flee

Olivia Ann Hayes (Credit: Bartow County Sheriff's Office)

Olivia Ann Hayes (Credit: Bartow County Sheriff's Office)

A 25-year-old Cartersville woman is facing aggravated assault charges after she tried to flee a grocery store parking lot.

Deputies suspected Olivia Ann Hayes of shoplifting from the Cartersville Ingles about 1:23 p.m. Tuesday, Bartow County sheriff’s spokesman Jonathan Rogers said in a news release.

Hayes, who was already on probation, was getting into a Honda Accord when deputies tried to talk to her and she immediately backed up, striking one deputy in the leg, Rogers said.

“She then drove forward, striking two cars to escape — one of which had a toddler inside with a woman loading groceries in the trunk,” Rogers said.

When deputies chased Hayes onto the road, she turned the wrong way onto Felton Road and almost struck a deputy head-on, Rogers said. Officials later discovered Hayes didn’t have a valid Georgia driver’s license.

She drove to the Crown Inn on Tennessee Street, where witnesses provided law enforcement officials with her room number.

Troopers assisted Bartow deputies in arresting Hayes. Rogers said Hayes may face additional charges from other agencies.

Hayes was charged with three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, two counts of aggravated assault, hit and run, fleeing and attempting to elude officers, probation violation, shoplifting, driving without a license and making an illegal left turn, Rogers said.

The deputy who was struck by the car is expected to be OK.

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