Reno woman arrested in Bush roadblock case

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Police arrested a Reno woman accused of speeding through a highway roadblock set up for President Bush's motorcade during his visit on Thursday.

The president was about five miles away at the time and was not in apparent danger.

Kristen Ashton, 34, of Reno, was arrested Thursday and charged with reckless endangerment, evading arrest, resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer and driving under the influence, police spokesman Don Aaron said.

Police pursued Ashton and her 2007 Ford Mustang rental car for about 20 minutes after she dodged the barricade on a Nashville interstate by driving on the shoulder, Aaron said.

The president's motorcade was leaving the Nashville Bun Co. about five miles away on its way to the Gaylord Opryland Resort Hotel and Convention Center when the incident occurred.

Police used a helicopter to track the automobile and arrested Ashton after she abandoned and attempted to flee by foot.

Ashton told police that she did not know the president was in town and acknowledged that she had been smoking marijuana for much of the night before.