WALES — A woman who was shot in the neck by police after a high-speed chase in 2009 has been indicted on an unrelated charge of domestic threatening.
Kristy Lee Cookson, 31, of Wales, is accused of threatening a man she lived with on April 28, placing that man in fear of bodily harm.
Cookson had been serving probation stemming from the high-speed pursuit that ended when she tried to run over a police officer and crashed on Central Avenue in Lewiston.
She was sentenced to probation and time served.
On Dec. 1, 2009, Cookson led police on a chase through downtown Lewiston in a stolen pickup, reaching speeds of 80 mph. Eventually, she crashed into a parked car and came to a stop. When she refused to get out of the truck and the vehicle suddenly lurched in the direction of two local police officers, they drew their handguns and shot at the truck. A bullet struck Cookson in the neck.
Cookson has an extensive criminal history in Maine and Florida. She was charged 16 times in Broward County, Florida, according to court records there. Charges included child abuse, drug possession, eluding a police officer, resisting arrest and operating after suspension.
In Maine, Cookson was convicted in 2008 on one count of domestic violence assault and sentenced to 120 days in jail, with all suspended. She violated her probation on that charge and served eight days in jail.
Since Cookson’s Maine driver’s license was issued, she has been involved in one previous accident and, since 2008, has been convicted of one count of operating under the influence, operating without a license, operating an unregistered vehicle, failure to pay a fine, failure to display an inspection sticker, failure to produce evidence of insurance and three convictions for failing to appear in court. The latter are on separate charges of failing to report an accident, driving without a license and operating under the influence of liquor. Cookson’s license was suspended for seven months for failure to take a Breathalyzer test.
For the Dec. 1, 2009, incident she was indicted on six charges: eluding an officer, reckless conduct, violation of condition of release, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs, driving to endanger and criminal operating under the influence. As part of her plea agreement Wednesday, three charges — violating condition of release, possessing scheduled drugs and driving to endanger — were dropped.
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