Woman charged with attempted murder after suspected intentional car accident

A Fountain woman suspected of intentionally hitting a Chipley man on a motorcycle with her car was arrested in Washington County on Thursday.

Harley Hawthorne, 27,  is initially charged with aggravated battery, attempted murder and two counts of child neglect.

She was booked into the Bay County Jail and is awaiting her first appearance in court.

At approximately 6:05 a.m. on July 14, the Florida Highway Patrol and Bay County Sheriff’s Office responded to what initially was reported as a hit and run with injuries.

Shortly after the call was received, officers received additional information suggesting the incident may have been an intentional and domestic-related.

The victim, a 47 year-old Chipley man, was traveling southbound on State Road 77 in Bay County on his 2004 Yamaha Motorcycle. A 2000 Toyota Camry, being driven by Hawthorne was following the victim. In the area of Court Martial Ranch Road, the suspect intentionally rear-ended the motorcycle, causing the victim to be thrown from the motorcycle.

The suspect fled the scene northbound into Washington County and was observed by a witness, who remained in contact with local law enforcement.

A short time later, deputies with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop in south Washington County.

The suspect was taken into custody and transferred to the Florida Highway Patrol and back to the scene for the on-going criminal investigation.

The Florida Highway Patrol Bureau of Criminal Intelligence and Investigation assumed the role as the primary investigators in this case.

Hawthorne was subsequently arrested.

At the time of the arrest, two juveniles were in Hawthorne’s vehicle and were unharmed and released to a guardian.

The Florida Highway Patrol investigation is ongoing, with assistance from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and Washington County Sheriff’s Office.