It’s one of those videos you watch once, and then have to watch again just to believe it.
A car speeds directly toward a police officer.
And then, impact.
This is INSANE. Ta'Nezah Austin was the person caught on video in Charlotte, North Carolina trying to run over a police officer who had his gun drawn.
She's now officially been indicted by a grand jury for “Assault With a Deadly Weapon”. Great news, right?
Except…. she was… pic.twitter.com/SxVPGYVf5g
— Blue Lives Matter (@bluelivesmtr) April 3, 2026
A Close Call Caught on Camera
The video shows 25-year-old Ta’Nezah Austin behind the wheel.
Police say she accelerated her car straight toward an officer. The officer was struck and suffered minor injuries.
It could have been much worse.
Prosecutors charged Austin with felony assault with a deadly weapon on a government official.
A grand jury even handed down an indictment.
So far, pretty serious stuff.
Then Came the Release
Despite the charge, Austin was released shortly after her arrest on a $3,000 secured bond set by a magistrate.
Three thousand dollars.
That’s less than what many families in Nevada pay for a used car or a few months of rent.
For critics, that number doesn’t match the danger shown in the video.
And Then It Happened Again
Just days after being released, Austin was arrested a second time.
This time, police say she used a car to hit her ex-boyfriend.
That added new charges, including assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence.
Same behavior. Same risk. Different victim.
And it happened while she was already out on bond.
A Bigger Question About Bail
How do you balance fairness for someone accused of a crime with safety for everyone else?
Supporters of lower bail say the system shouldn’t punish people before they’re convicted. They argue that high bail can trap low-income defendants in jail, even for non-violent offenses.
Sure.
But critics say this case shows the other side of the coin.
If someone is accused of using a car as a weapon against a police officer, should they really be back on the street days later?
And if they are, what happens if they do it again?
Here's a case where that’s exactly what happened.
Not Just a Charlotte Problem
Law enforcement groups across the country have warned that low bail for serious charges can lead to repeat incidents.
When that happens, it’s not just statistics.
It’s real people getting hurt.
And there’s no simple answer here.
Nobody wants a system that’s unfair or locks people up just because they’re poor.
But at the same time, most folks would agree on this much:
If someone is accused of using a vehicle to run down a police officer, that’s not a minor mistake.
That’s a serious threat.
When that someone walks out on a low bond and ends up facing similar charges just days later, it really makes it difficult keep ignoring the hard questions.
Are we giving dangerous people too many second chances before they’ve earned even a first one?
This comes down to whether the system is actively protecting the public, or rolling the dice and hoping for the best.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. Digital technology was used in the research, writing, and production of this article. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
