Jury convicts Santa Maria woman of striking Arroyo Grande officer with car
February 5, 2024
By JOSH FRIEDMAN
A San Luis Obispo County jury has convicted a Santa Maria woman of striking an Arroyo Grande police officer with her car, as well as driving under the influence of alcohol causing serious injury.
Shortly before 6 p.m. on Feb. 23, 2023, a 911 caller reported a man and a woman fighting in a retail parking lot on Grand Avenue in Arroyo Grande. Officers tried to detain the suspects, but the woman, later identified as Laura Lee Millar, attempted to flee in her vehicle.
One officer walked in front of Millar’s vehicle as she exited the parking lot onto Grand Avenue and shined a flashlight through her front windshield, commanding her to stop. Millar did not stop and struck the officer, causing significant injury. She then fled the scene.
About 30 minutes later, a CHP officer spotted Millar driving southbound on Highway 101 in Buellton at speeds of up to 100 mph.
Officers tracked down Millar and arrested her for felony assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and booked her in San Luis Obispo County Jail. Responders transported the injured officer to a local hospital where he received treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
Prosecutors charged Millar, now 44, with felony hit-and-run causing injury, felony driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, felony driving with a blood alcohol level exceeding .08% causing injury, and assault on a peace officer.
The jury convicted Millar of each count, with the exception of assault on a peace officer, on which they acquitted her. Jurors, though, also found true an allegation that Millar personally inflicted great bodily injury on the Arroyo Grand officer.
Millar faces a maximum sentence of six years and eight months in prison. Her sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 29 in the courtroom of Judge Matthew Guerrero.
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