A Bridgeton woman struck a police officer while driving drunk Jan. 25, Bridgeton Police said.

Kristen Essary, 23, of the 11900 block of Benedetta Drive in Bridgeton, was charged Thursday with vehicular assault on a law enforcement officer and leaving the scene of an accident.

Bridgeton Police said officers were responding to investigate an accident at Avery and Benedetta and saw Essary sitting in her car in front of her house.

According to the police report, when officers arrived Essary started her car, drove up to the officers and struck one officer on his left hip. She continued driving away but officers pulled her over.

The officer was not seriously injured.

The officers said Essary had watery eyes, slurred speech and she smelled like alcohol. She performed poorly on field sobriety tests and refused a breathalyzer test, police said.

Bail was set at $25,000 for Essary.

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