Jefferson Woman Unable to Lose Deputy - Ends up in Jail

Photo:Marion County Sheriff's Dept.

(JEFFERSON, Ore.) - A 47-year–old Jefferson woman was arrested Wednesday afternoon after she continually drove away from a deputy who had stopped her three separate times for traffic violations.

Maria Klaffke was driving her 2000 Dodge Neon on Jefferson Highway when she entered the school zone in front of Jefferson Middle School at 3:15pm. Deputy Kevin Ely was parked at the school, conducting radar enforcement of the 20-mph school zone.

Ely is assigned to the Traffic Safety Team; a unit dedicated to reducing crashes and improving safety on the roads of Marion County.

Deputy Ely noted that her vehicle was exceeding the school zone speed limit, so he activated his emergency lights to stop her vehicle. Klaffke turned onto Talbot Road before stopping. She produced her driver's license through the window that was opened about 3" and appeared very agitated about being stopped. As Ely was explaining the citation to her, Klaffke began to yell obscenities at Ely. She then accelerated rapidly, spun the tires and pulled back on the roadway. She drove into the student pick-up area at nearby Jefferson High School and stopped. Two female juveniles got into her car. They were later identified as Klaffke's 17-year-old daughter and a 16-year–old friend of the daughter.

Ely recontacted Klaffke in the parking lot, obtained her license again and started returning to his patrol vehicle when she drove away for the second time. Ely then stopped her for the third time as she turned back onto Talbot Road. This time, Klaffke got out of her vehicle and continued to create a commotion. In spite of the windy weather conditions, Ely detected an odor of alcohol on Klaffke's breath. He informed her that she could not leave again.

Klaffke again tried to return to her car, but was restrained until another deputy came to assist. During this time, Klaffke claimed her erratic driving was due to being upset about the recent death of her husband. She was ultimately placed into the patrol vehicle and taken to the Marion County jail. An 18-can carton of beer was taken as evidence from the vehicle.

While deputies were waiting for a tow truck to store the vehicle; they were approached by a man they later confirmed to be Klaffke's husband. The vehicle and juveniles were released to him. Klaffke submitted to a test that revealed her blood alcohol level at .21%, almost three times the legal limit.

She remains at the jail on $10,000 bail for DUI, Reckless Driving, 2 counts of Reckless Endangerment and Eluding.

Source: Marion Co. Sheriff's Office