Woman Arrested Who Allegedly Drove Minivan Into Group Standing Outside Sonoma County Nightclub
SANTA ROSA (CBS SF) -- At least five people were injured early Saturday morning, after a woman allegedly struck the group with her minivan intentionally, outside a bar in unincorporated Sonoma County.
At 2:38 a.m., deputies responded to a report of an assault at El Rey Nightclub, at 5344 Sebastopol Road, near Santa Rosa, according to sheriff's officials.
A caller reported to dispatchers that a person had been hit with a beer bottle and was bleeding from the mouth, sheriff's officials said.
When deputies arrived about five minutes later, they found several injured people in the parking lot. Ambulances arrived and treated at least five people, according to sheriff's officials.
All of the victims were taken to a hospital.
Deputies determined a vehicle struck the victims as it was exiting the parking lot, sheriff's officials said.
Witnesses gave deputies a description of the driver and her vehicle and confirmed that the driver was the same woman who originally struck the first victim with the bottle, according to sheriff's officials.
Deputies quickly located the suspect vehicle near Ludwig Avenue and Llano Road. The vehicle, a minivan, had moderate damage to the front and its airbags had been deployed, sheriff's officials said.
Deputies, along with California Highway Patrol officers, then went to a home on Dutton Meadows and located the vehicle's registered owner.
Deputies spoke with the vehicle's owner, Jessica Leos, and learned she had just arrived home. They were able to positively identify her as the driver who struck the victims, sheriff's officials said.
Deputies arrested Leos on suspicion of driving while under the influence, assault with a deadly weapon resulting in great bodily injury and attempted murder, according to sheriff's officials.
Four victims suffered injuries that are not considered life-threatening and have since been released. One of the victims remains hospitalized and is in critical condition with serious injuries, sheriff's officials said.
Leos complained of pain to her wrist. She was taken to a hospital for treatment and has since been released and booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility.
Leos is being held without bail and will be arraigned on Tuesday, according to sheriff's officials.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Investigations Tip Line at (707) 565-2185.
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