Woman charged with DUI after ramming cop car, fleeing arrest, police say

Kirsten Miller, 21, of Hopatcong, faces a number of charges as well as 17 motor vehicle violations, including driving under the influence, Fairfield police say

FAIRFIELD -- Authorities allege that a 21-year-old woman was high Tuesday morning and rammed into a police car multiple times trying to flee from arrest in Essex County.

Kirsten Miller, 21, of Hopatcong.Fairfield Police Department 

The incident began shortly after 9 a.m. when police responded to a report of a woman using drugs in the parking lot of the Quick Chek on Passaic Avenue in Fairfield, according to Fairfield Chief Anthony Manna. 

Police said when authorities arrived at the store, a woman was seen sitting in a Chrysler PT Cruiser with her feet on the steering wheel, apparently smoking a cigarette, Manna said in a statement. 

The officer said he spotted several several glassine folds after approaching the driver's side door, and ordered the woman to get out of the car several times, according to the release.

Eventually, the Hopatcong woman, Kirsten Miller, sat up straight and attempted to drive away, according to the report. The officer said Miller almost him as she continually rammed the police car, which was parked behind the PT Cruiser, and hit a pick-up truck at the gas pumps before driving away.

Police followed Miller as she drove in "an extremely erratic manner" in North Caldwell until she turned down a dead end street and pulled into a driveway, Manna said. 

Miller was charged with eluding aggravated assault on a police officer, possessing the vehicle as a weapon for an unlawful purpose, use of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of heroin, possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, destruction of evidence, resisting arrest and obstruction of justice, according to the release. 

She was also issued 17 motor vehicles summonses, including driving under the influence, police said.

Miller is being held on $25,000 bail at Essex County Correctional Facility. 

Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig. Find NJ.com on Facebook.