LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — An Athens woman was arrested after she rammed into a deputy patrol vehicle while trying to steal a car near the Alabama-Tennessee state line.

On Wednesday, around 3:30 a.m., deputies from the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office and Giles County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a suspicious female in the Lester community near the Alabama-Tennessee 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.

LCSO said that while Garcia was trying to leave she hit a Giles County patrol vehicle twice before crashing through the garage wall, which caused significant property damage and disabled the vehicle.

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 could have ended much worse, and I’m proud of how our deputies and the Giles County team handled a volatile situation with professionalism and restraint. Their quick actions prevented further danger to the community. We’re grateful for our strong partnership with Giles County and thankful no one was hurt.”

Limestone County Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin