Vehicle alleged as weapon again

A Green River woman accused of hitting a building and a vehicle with her car pleaded not guilty to three felony charges and two misdemeanor charges.

Heather L. Ortega appeared in the Third District Court of Judge James at an arraignment to felony charges of aggravated assault and battery, two counts of property destruction and defacement and misdemeanor charges of duty to stop vehicle where accident involves damage to attended vehicle or property, failure to maintain liability coverage (first offense.)

If found guilty of all five charges, Ortega could face a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, six months and 20 days in jail and a maximum fine of $30,950. A jury trial has been scheduled to take place May 18 at 9 a.m.

According to documents, on Jan. 5, 2015, a Sweetwater County Sheriff's deputy responded to an report of damage at Green River Glass in Jamestown. Upon arrival, a deputy made contact with Gary Brewer who advised that Ortega allegedly hit the building at Green River Glass with her car and then proceeded to ram the vehicle he was in about four times.

The deputy inspected the front and the rear end of Brewer's car, a 2000 Mercury Sable, for damage and noted the passenger-side mirror was missing a cover off of the mirror. Yeager's Auto Body conducted a damage estimate and thought it would cost $4,538.28 to repair the damage.

The deputy also looked at the Green River Glass building and saw that the north wall of the building had been hit and the bottom panel of the garage door was folded over itself. The deputy also noticed the wall had been pushed back about 1 foot near the bottom corner due to an impact. The deputy estimated the building's damage at $4,000, while the owner of Green River Glass estimated the damage at $20,000.

While at the scene, the deputy saw tire impressions that backed up Brewer's statements.

Troy Kelly, who witnessed the alleged crime, told the deputy he saw Ortega ram her vehicle into Brewer's vehicle.

Ortega was also interviewed by a deputy, and she said that she recalled sending a text to Brewer prior to going to Green River Glass. Ortega said she the text said something about how she was going to cause a show.

She told the deputy she then drove to Green River Glass and when she arrived at Green River Glass she allegedly hit the building with her car; and then allegedly hit Brewer's car at least once in the rear end and at least twice in the front with her car.

Ortega allegedly admitted to having no insurance on her 2003 BMW, which was allegedly used to hit the building and Brewer's vehicle.

This is not the only case against Ortega, she also has a felony aggravated assault and battery charge for allegedly trying to drive over someone. After that case was filed in December of 2014, she made bond and was ordered not to have any contact with Brewer.

Since this incident was a direct violation of that order, her bond was revoked.

A new bond was set March 2, at $40,000 cash or surety.