Cheyenne woman charged after fight with officers at crash scene
Chandra Barkell faces a felony charge and three misdemeanors following a dispute on Campstool Road that left two officers injured.
By Allison Rojas ·
A dispute over a traffic collision in east Cheyenne escalated into a physical confrontation between a driver and police officers, resulting in multiple injuries and a felony charge against the driver. The incident began on Nov. 2 with a multi-vehicle accident involving a Jeep, a Toyota pickup, and a bus.
Chandra Barkell, 40, is charged with interference with a police officer causing bodily injury. That felony carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail. She also faces three misdemeanor counts: reckless driving, resisting arrest, and failure to stop after causing damage. These lesser charges carry lower potential penalties. As of midday on Nov. 4, no preliminary hearing has been scheduled, and no bond has been set.
Police records indicate that Barkell was following a bus down Campstool Road when she began driving erratically and honking at the vehicle. A Toyota pickup was driving near her when she stopped in the middle of the road, then moved onto a side street and into the roadside. The Toyota attempted to pass her, but Barkell drove into the side of the truck. She then drove away until the Toyota accelerated and rear-ended her Jeep.
When officers arrived, they found Barkell refusing to leave her vehicle. She ignored repeated requests to roll down her window and eventually lowered it only partially. She did not comply with commands to exit. One officer tried to open her door, prompting Barkell to kick him and punch him in the face and chest. She also bit his shoulder, breaking the skin.
A second officer broke the passenger-side window to gain control from behind. He was cut multiple times by the broken glass while attempting to handcuff her. Barkell then stiffened her body to resist being removed from the car. Officers placed her in a WRAP restraint and transported her to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center for treatment.
During transport, Barkell told officers that she had mistaken the bus for an ambulance and was following it to the hospital. She claimed the Toyota turned in front of her to block her path, which is why she struck it. She is presumed innocent until she pleads or is found guilty in court.
