In an alarming late-night incident in downtown Royal Oak, Michigan, a woman allegedly consumed alcohol, drove her SUV along train tracks, and then plowed into a storefront of the Ulta Beauty chain while attempting to evade police. The dramatic chase ended with significant property damage and multiple felony charges.
Navigating Train Tracks Then Storefront
Shortly after 12:40 a.m., officers responded to a report of a sport-utility vehicle driving on train tracks near West Fourth Street and S. Center Street in downtown Royal Oak. On arrival, the vehicle was seen with a flat tire and one wheel on the tracks. The driver, later identified as 26-year-old Katrina Patterson of Canton, was found with an open container of alcohol in the vehicle and initially refused to cooperate. Patterson then sped off, turning north on Washington, then west on Farnum, and onto Oakridge before entering an alley that parallels Woodward Avenue. From there she accelerated and crashed through the front of the Ulta store.
Collision Inside the Store and Attempted Escape
After entering the Ulta location, Patterson allegedly attempted to reverse out and collided with a police patrol vehicle, then drove further into the business, causing thousands of dollars in additional damage. No officers were hurt; the driver and a passenger suffered only minor injuries. Royal Oak Police Chief Michael Moore described the incident as “reckless,” noting they were fortunate no one was seriously injured.
Charges and Investigation Underway
Patterson was arrested and faces multiple charges including third-degree fleeing and eluding, assaulting/resisting/obstructing police, felonious assault, malicious destruction of a building, malicious destruction of personal property, and malicious destruction of police property. The passenger was ticketed for having open intoxicants in the vehicle and released. Authorities are awaiting blood-test results to determine whether Patterson was driving under the influence.
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