Inset: Jamie Caldwell (Lexington, Kentucky Police Dept.). Background: The area on Georgetown Road where Caldwell allegedly left a pedestrian critically injured after a hit-and-run collision (Google Maps).
A 29-year-old special education teacher in Kentucky was arrested this week after she allegedly got drunk before driving to school, hitting and critically injuring a pedestrian on the way.
Jamie Caldwell was taken into custody at the school on Wednesday morning and charged with one count of aggravated operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and one count of leaving the scene of an accident with failure to render aid or assist with death or serious physical injury, authorities announced.
According to a news release from the Lexington Police Department, officers at about 6:50 a.m. on Wednesday responded to a call regarding a hit-and-run involving a pedestrian in the 1000 block of Georgetown Road, which is about 75 miles east of Louisville.
Upon arriving at the scene, first responders located the pedestrian and emergency medical personnel transported them to a local hospital for treatment of “life-threatening injuries.”
Police then utilized the department’s “Real-Time Intelligence Center” to quickly locate the vehicle and driver — later identified as Caldwell — involved in the collision. The “intelligence center” allows the department to access public traffic video feeds and footage from private surveillance cameras, with permission, to aid in investigations.
A copy of the arrest citation obtained by Lexington ABC affiliate WTVQ provided additional details about the circumstances of Caldwell’s arrest.
According to the report, police located Caldwell at Glendover Elementary School, where she is employed as a teacher. Officers at the scene said that Caldwell’s vehicle was in the school parking lot with visible damage.
They also reportedly noted that when they came into contact with Caldwell, her “eyes were bloodshot and watery.” They also said they “smelled alcohol coming from her,” Lexington NBC affiliate WLEX reported.
Speaking with police, Caldwell allegedly admitted that she had been drinking “Bacardi Rum” Tuesday evening and taken prescription drugs for anxiety, depression, and high blood pressure Wednesday morning, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported.
Caldwell also allegedly admitted that while driving to school that morning “she heard a thud, but did not realize she hit a person,” WLEX reported.
A subsequent breath test revealed that Caldwell had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.278, more than three times the legal limit to drive in the state. She was taken into custody and processed at the Fayette County Detention Center.
Caldwell on Thursday appeared in court via Zoom where she pleaded not guilty to the aforementioned charged, according to WTVQ. After waiving a formal arraignment hearing a magistrate judge set a cash-only bond of $25,000. She is currently scheduled to appear in court again on April 29.
Fayette County Public Schools issued a statement to multiple news stations regarding Caldwell’s arrest through District Spokesperson Dia Davidson-Smith:
“Fayette County Public Schools is aware of the situation involving Jamie Caldwell. Due to the ongoing investigation and the confidential nature of personnel matters, we are limited in what we can share at this time. However, we can confirm that the employee has been placed on administrative leave. As always, the safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority.”
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