Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Minnesota Woman Arrested for Driving School Bus While Intoxicated

CHISAGO COUNTY, MN — A 59-year-old woman from Harris, Minnesota, was apprehended by authorities after it was discovered that she was driving a school bus with 45 children on board while under the influence of alcohol. The incident took place in Chisago County, and the driver, Kara Ffrench, has been charged with two counts of driving while intoxicated.

An Unfortunate Accident on Thursday Morning

On Thursday morning, at approximately 8 a.m., the Chisago County Sheriff’s Office received a report regarding a school bus that had collided with a basketball pole and was stuck on private property in Rush City. Upon arrival at the scene, a sergeant noticed that the bus was wedged between a cornfield and the basketball pole, with its engine still running.

Intoxicated Driver Found at the Scene

Authorities quickly identified Kara Ffrench as the driver of the bus. When approached, Ffrench was still seated in the driver’s seat and emitted a strong smell of alcohol, according to the criminal complaint. Her movements were sluggish, and she appeared to be confused about operating the bus controls, indicating signs of impairment.

When questioned about the cause of the accident, Ffrench repeatedly mentioned that her “foot didn’t find the brake,” as stated in the criminal complaint.

Thankfully, No Injuries Reported

The school bus was transporting 45 children, the majority of whom were of elementary school age and under 16 years old. The remaining children were high school students. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the children. They were safely evacuated from the damaged bus and transferred to a replacement bus that arrived at the scene to transport them to school.

Failed Sobriety Tests and High Blood-Alcohol Content

Upon exiting the bus, Ffrench was seen carrying a plastic water bottle and an insulated coffee mug, prompting investigators to administer sobriety tests. Ffrench attempted the “walk and turn” test twice but failed to complete it successfully on both occasions, as revealed by authorities.

Further tests were conducted to determine Ffrench’s blood-alcohol level. The preliminary breath test yielded a result of 0.199, significantly exceeding the legal limit of 0.08 in Minnesota. Ffrench denied consuming alcohol when questioned by investigators.

However, a breath test conducted later when Ffrench was in custody registered a blood-alcohol level of 0.17, confirming her intoxicated state, as stated by authorities.

Driving under the influence is a serious offense that jeopardizes the safety of not only the driver but also innocent passengers and other road users. The Chisago County Sheriff’s Office is working diligently to ensure that justice is served in this case.

It is a stark reminder of the importance of responsible and sober driving, especially when entrusted with the lives of young individuals. The incident serves as a valuable lesson for everyone to prioritize safety and make responsible choices on the road.

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