Missoula Area News

Woman accused of running over Missoula officer is out of hospital, now behind bars

Posted: Jan 9, 2013 2:01 PM by Mark Thorsell - MTN News

MISSOULA - The woman who is accused of running over a Missoula police officer earlier this week is out of the hospital and is now behind bars.

Dawnette Eaton has been booked into the Missoula County Detention Center for violating her probation and is expected to appear in court later this week.

She had been in St. Patrick Hospital since early Tuesday after allegedly running over officer Deni Poling and then being shot once in the arm by Patrol Supervisor Lt. Rich Stepper at the McDonald's on East Broadway late Monday.

Poling is still hospitalized with what are described as "serious injuries." Missoula County Sheriff's Office spokesman Jason Johnson says Poling is in stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit at St. Patrick Hospital.

Eaton fled from McDonald's as officers were attempting to arrest her on an outstanding warrant. She ditched her car in downtown Missoula and was captured hours later at a residence off Hillview Way, after police were tipped off about where Eaton was.

A second suspect in the case, Kimberly Inman, was arrested Tuesday night, and is facing felony charges of obstructing justice and tampering with evidence in connection with Monday night's incident. Inman is behind bars on a $10,000 bond and is expected to appear in court on Thursday.

Eaton has a criminal history dating back to 1993 that includes drug, theft and forgery charges out of Silver Bow, Gallatin and Missoula counties.

- information from Irina Cates