Copiague woman crashes into store after police chase

A Copiague woman is facing charges for crashing her car into a storefront on Montauk Highway following a wild police chase. Police say the incident started at the home of 50-year-old Dawn Harris. Neighbor

News 12 Staff

Jun 23, 2008, 6:15 PM

Updated 6,050 days ago

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A Copiague woman is facing charges for crashing her car into a storefront on Montauk Highway following a wild police chase.
Police say the incident started at the home of 50-year-old Dawn Harris. Neighbor Ellen Curto says she called 911 after she heard a car screeching and a horn blaring.
Curto says a police officer who answered the call ordered Harris to step out of the car, but she floored the gas pedal into reverse while the officer was still holding onto the door. The police officer scraped his hands and tore his uniform.
Authorities say Harris sped off, then hit four parked cars at the shopping center before the crash.
"The cop was chasing after her and flew right into the owner?s store across the street," says Dora Serroukas, the owner of Viva La Pets.
According to Harris? partner, Mark Fielding, the woman has been suffering from depression since she lost her job about two and a half years ago.
Fielding says he saw this coming. He says he tried to admit her to a treatment program recently, but she was denied admission because she had no insurance.
Harris suffered minor injuries in the crash and remains at Good Samaritan Hospital. The officer who confronted her was treated and released from Southside Hospital.