An Athens woman was taken into custody in Limestone County, Ala. after she collided with a deputy patrol car while attempting to steal a vehicle near the Alabama-Tennessee border.

Early Wednesday morning, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Limestone County and Giles County deputies were dispatched to the Lester community, responding to a report of a suspicious woman in the area close to the state line.

Once deputies arrived in the 2900 block of Lester Road, they encountered Bethany Paige Thornton Garcia, 43, of Athens, Alabama.

According to LCSO, Garcia was seen inside the garage trying to steal a vehicle.

As law enforcement confronted Garcia, she refused to comply with commands and tried to leave the scene in the stolen vehicle.

According to the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), Garcia hit a Giles County patrol car twice and crashed through a garage wall as she tried to escape, causing major property damage and rendering the vehicle inoperable.

Authorities then arrested Garcia, she was charged with driving under the influence (DUI), burglary, and criminal mischief.

She was transported and booked into the Limestone County Jail.

“This situation could have been much worse, and I commend our deputies and those from Giles County for their professionalism and restraint in handling such a volatile incident. Their swift actions prevented further threats to the community. We deeply appreciate our strong collaboration with Giles County and are thankful that no one was injured.”

Limestone County Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin