September 3, 2025 11:00 a.m.
A Riddle woman was jailed for an alleged DUII, assault and hit and run incident on Monday night.
A Douglas County Sheriff’s Office report said just after 6:30 p.m. 31-year-old Kati Steensland was reportedly driving under the influence, with two children in her vehicle in the 500 block of South Main Street in Canyonville. While in the gravel parking lot of an establishment, Steensland allegedly backed into a fence, damaging several boards.
As the woman was leaving, a minor child attempted to get in the vehicle while the woman drove forward a little, as if she was playing a game. The child attempted to gain entry into the vehicle again when the driver went forward, but this time the woman headed towards South Main Street. The minor’s door remained open, as he was not fully in the vehicle. As the vehicle approached the transition from the gravel parking lot to the paved roadway, the child fell from the passenger side of the vehicle and hit the ground.
Steensland allegedly failed to stop and continued driving, ultimately running over the minor’s left arm. The child sustained injuries including bruising and road rash and was bleeding from his arm. The driver eventually exited the vehicle and checked on the child. Once responders started arriving on the scene Steensland reportedly fled towards Pioneer Park, leaving the two children alone. Several citizens ran after her.
A deputy located the woman running through a gravel lot on Elliot Street. When told she was under arrest, Steensland allegedly continued running towards the 200 block of Elliot. She was eventually trapped between an off-duty trooper and berry bushes. She was taken into custody and was transported to a patrol vehicle.
Steensland showed obvious signs of impairment and admitted to drinking. She performed standard field sobriety tests and reportedly performed poorly. The woman was transported to corrections where she provided a breath sample with a blood alcohol content level of .13. Video footage supported statements provided to law enforcement.
Kati Steensland was charged with a felony count of failure to perform the duties of a driver, third-degree assault, second-degree child neglect, reckless driving, two counts of reckless endangering, second-degree criminal mischief, third-degree escape and driving under the influence of intoxicants. After arraignment Tuesday, Steensland remained detained on $10,000 bail. The children were turned over to family members and the Department of Human Services was notified.