A Ridgefield woman who crashed into the back of another vehicle in an apparent attempt to harm herself was sentenced Thursday to 30 days of electronic home confinement.
Devon M. Bentley, 58, pleaded guilty in Clark County Superior Court to third-degree assault stemming from the Aug. 1, 2016, crash. She initially faced second-degree assault because authorities believed she intentionally rear-ended the other vehicle.
Clark County sheriff’s deputies responded shortly before 9:30 a.m. to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Northwest 21st Avenue and Northwest 99th Street, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
Bentley was driving a 2003 Saturn Ion when she struck the rear of a northbound 2000 Dodge Dakota pickup at high speed. Her vehicle then veered off and struck a large oak tree several hundred feet away, the affidavit said. She sustained serious injuries, including fractured ankles, her attorney said Thursday, and was transported by ambulance to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center.
The 16-year-old driver of the Dodge sustained minor injuries, according to the prosecution.
Witnesses and first responders reportedly heard Bentley screaming that she wanted to die and to let her car blow up. Investigators stated Bentley was traveling 53 mph in a 35 mph zone seconds before the crash. She also was not wearing a seat belt, court records state.
Senior Deputy Prosecutor Kasey Vu said Bentley has a history of mental health issues and has tried to harm herself before. He asked that Bentley serve 30 days of community service.
Bentley, who is still recovering from her injuries and appeared in a wheel chair, denied trying to harm herself and said she doesn’t remember the crash.
Judge Gregory Gonzales told Bentley he is “not sympathetic at all” and said not only could she have killed herself, but the 16-year-old driver. He agreed to let Bentley serve her sentence through electronic home confinement because of the nature of her injuries. But, he told her he won’t hesitate to send her to jail if she doesn’t follow the conditions of her sentence.
As part of her sentence, she must undergo mental health treatment, and her license was revoked.
