A Cheney woman has been charged after prosecutors say she hopped a curb with her vehicle to chase a child riding a dirt bike in Spokane County and later trespassed on private property. The case highlights how quickly a traffic interaction can spiral into a criminal matter involving a minor.

According to the charging documents, the incident began when the woman allegedly drove her car onto a curb in an attempt to pursue a child who was riding a dirt bike. The exact location and date of the event have not been disclosed, but the charge was filed in Spokane County District Court.

The woman is accused not only of chasing the child but also of subsequently trespassing. The court records do not specify where the trespassing occurred or whether it was related to the same chase. The child was not reported injured, and no further details about the child’s age or gender have been released.

Initial news reports described the bike as an electric bike, but the charging documents refer to it as a dirt bike. Dirt bikes are typically gas-powered off-road motorcycles, while electric bikes are pedal-assisted or battery-powered. The discrepancy may stem from a misidentification or a change in the official description.

Criminal charges

The woman faces two misdemeanor charges: one count of reckless endangerment and one count of criminal trespass. Reckless endangerment in Washington state involves conduct that creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person. Trespassing in the second degree typically covers entering or remaining unlawfully on property after being told to leave.

A conviction for reckless endangerment can carry up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. Trespassing is usually a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.

The woman has not yet entered a plea, and her first court appearance is pending. No attorney is listed in the court records.

Context: why this matters

Road rage incidents involving children on bicycles or dirt bikes are not uncommon, but they rarely result in criminal charges. A 2023 study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that nearly 80 percent of drivers experience significant anger or aggression behind the wheel at least once a year. When a minor is the target, the legal stakes rise considerably.

In Washington state, the law treats endangerment of a child more seriously than endangering an adult. Even if the child was not physically harmed, prosecutors can argue that the act of chasing a child with a car posed an unacceptable risk.

The case also raises questions about how drivers should react when encountering a child on a dirt bike — whether on a public road, sidewalk, or private property. Dirt bikes are generally not street-legal, but children often ride them on rural roads or off-road trails. The legality of the child's riding does not give a driver the right to pursue them.

What happens next

The woman will proceed through the court system in Spokane County. If convicted, she could face jail time, fines, and a criminal record. The judge may also impose conditions such as no contact with the child or the child’s family.

The case is a reminder that any attempt to take the law into your own hands — especially when a child is involved — can lead to criminal charges that carry consequences far beyond the original frustration. Prosecutors in Spokane County have signaled they intend to treat the incident seriously, as reflected by the decision to file charges.

As of this writing, no further information about the woman’s identity, age, or occupation has been released. The child’s identity is also being withheld.

SysCall News will continue to follow the case as it develops.