A driver fleeing a traffic stop ended up speeding through a stop sign, striking a truck and sending that truck careening in to the tile wall at the Oakdale Children’s Play Park, part of Dorada Park at North Second Avenue and East A Street in Oakdale.
The incident, early Sunday afternoon, Nov. 24 sent the fleeing driver to the hospital – and then landed her in jail.
Those in the truck, which was struck by the car, declined medical treatment at the scene, according to authorities.
Oakdale Police Chief Jerry Ramar said officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the car but it fled, with officers beginning a pursuit. The driver was identified as Jamie Huisman, 38, of Groveland and Ramar said she had several warrants out for her arrest, including some with felony charges such as grand theft. She also had warrants for possession of a controlled substance and driving on a suspended license.
“At the intersection of Second and A, she failed to stop, blew through the sign,” Ramar explained.
The force of the collision between the truck and car sent the truck off the roadway and across a small grassy area between the sidewalk and the decorative tile wall, which was decorated by local youngsters when the popular play park was constructed some three decades ago.
“There was major damage to the car,” Ramar said of Huisman’s vehicle.
He said the suspect had to be taken to the hospital to be checked out due to injuries suffered in the collision and, once medically cleared, was booked at county jail.
“She was alone in the car,” the chief said, with local charges ranging from possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell to driving on a suspended license to failure to yield and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The park is a popular spot for family gatherings or just for kids to run around and have an afternoon of fun on the playground equipment; Ramar said luckily, no one at the park was hurt.
“City staff collected the damaged tiles,” he added, indicating that city officials also plan to repair the wall in hopes of restoring it to its original condition.
The crash occurred about 12:40 p.m. Sunday.
