Bowling Green woman arrested after reportedly hitting patrol vehicle

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A Bowling Green woman is facing charges after authorities say she struck a patrol vehicle.

According to a uniform citation, on Monday, a Bowling Green Police Department officer was stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Collegeview Drive and Glen Lily Road.

Police say they observed a vehicle fail to stop for an unmarked cruiser with its blue lights activated while approaching the back of the BGPD officer’s patrol vehicle.

The driver was later identified as 55-year-old Sheila Howard of Bowling Green.

Howard then turned into Family Dollar, parked and exited the vehicle, police say.

Authorities say a traffic stop was conducted, and Howard was detained.

According to the citation, a Western Kentucky University police officer stated he was stopped at a stop sign at Collegeview Drive and Old Morgantown Road when Howard struck the back of his unmarked patrol vehicle.

Authorities say the WKU police officer stated he had exited his vehicle to assess damage, during which Howard stated there was no damage and got back into her vehicle before driving away.

Howard was arrested and transported to The Medical Center at Bowling Green for jail clearance.

During a search of Howard’s person, authorities say they located a small bag of suspected methamphetamine.

Police say the patrol vehicle and the vehicle Howard drove had minor scuff marks. In addition, authorities say Howard stated she had been texting at the time of the collision.

Howard remains at the Warren County Regional Jail and faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident – failure to render aid or assistance, no registration plates, no registration receipt, failure of non-owner operator to maintain required security/insurance, first offense, driving on a DUI-suspended license, second offense, first-degree possession of a controlled substance, first offense (methamphetamine), drug paraphernalia – buy/possess and second-degree criminal mischief.