A 23-year-old woman was arrested after intentionally walking into traffic on Highway 20 and then assaulting an officer who responded on June 21, according to court documents.

Sarah Pierce appeared in Island County Superior Court June 24. The judge found probable cause existed to believe she may have committed the crimes of assault in the third degree and disorderly conduct. She was released on her personal recognizance.

Deputies with the Island County Sheriff’s Office received a report at 2 p.m. that Pierce was walking into traffic on the highway near Fakkema Road, where cars are traveling at 50 mph, according to a report on the incident. A caller reported that she nearly caused a collision.

Shortly afterward, a first responder reported that Pierce was kicking and screaming at cars.

The deputies contacted Pierce, who swung her arm at a deputy and later struck a deputy with her fist, the report states. The deputies “took her to the ground” as she resisted and placed her in the back of a patrol car. She allegedly tried to close the door on a deputy and hit him.

The report states that police have warned Pierce multiple times in the past to stay out of traffic and not to assault officers.

Officers on Whidbey Island have responded to a series of pedestrian accidents this year, including two fatalities.