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Wrong-way driver faces attempted homicide charge after crashing into DPS patrol car

The wrong-way driver had her 2-year-old daughter in the back seat.

A wrong-way driver traveling on Interstate 40 near Flagstaff struck an Arizona Department of Public Safety patrol car just after the sergeant stopped traffic to prevent any crashes.

DPS said they got a report of a reckless driver in a Nissan Rogue along Milton Road in Flagstaff on Nov. 17 around 3:30 p.m.

When a DPS sergeant tried to stop the SUV, the driver tried to flee by going the wrong way, traveling east in the westbound lanes of I-40, DPS said.

The sergeant responded to the call and got on the westbound I-40, creating a traffic break to stop westbound traffic.

Right after vehicles came to a stop for the traffic break, DPS said, the wrong-way driver struck the stopped patrol vehicle head-on.

The wrong-way driver was Patricia Rose Carvalho, 32, from New Mexico. DPS said she had her 2-year-old daughter in the back seat with her.

The sergeant was transported to the hospital, as he had suffered minor injuries, and was released. Carvalho was admitted to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while the child was not hurt, DPS said.

Carvalho was released from the hospital and faces charges of attempted second-degree homicide, aggravated assault, endangerment, aggravated DUI and child abuse.

Carvalho’s daughter was placed in the custody of the Arizona Department of Child Services.

The video above was taken by an individual not related to the incident.   

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