Author: Garey McKee
By Chris Bristol Yakima Herald-Republic
YAKIMA, Wash. — A woman who started a fire while seated in the back of a Yakima police car was sentenced to 30 days in jail Tuesday.
Danielle Jo McRae, 25, of Yakima received one hour of credit for her guilty plea in Yakima County Superior Court to a felony charge of first-degree reckless burning.
The incident occurred Nov. 3, 2010, in the 1700 block of Summitview Avenue, across the street from Roosevelt Elementary School.
While investigating reports of a woman being chased by a man with a knife, officers contacted McRae and put her in the back of a patrol car while the search was under way.
A detective at the scene saw smoke coming from the unit and dragged McRae out. She apparently started the fire by lighting an article of her clothing with a cigarette lighter.
McRae spent two days at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Police said she suffered smoke inhalation.
It was unclear why she started the fire. Police said she was patted down for weapons, but the lighter had not been seized because she was not under arrest.
In exchange for her plea, prosecutors dismissed a charge of first- degree malicious mischief. Copyright 2012 Yakima Herald Republic
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