Teacher kills man while driving drunk to school: Cops
Share this @internewscast.com

Inset: Jaime 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 from Kentucky has been accused of hitting a pedestrian while allegedly driving under the influence on her way to school last month. This incident may lead to more charges against her after officials confirmed that the 32-year-old man she reportedly hit has now passed away from his injuries. The teacher, Jaime Caldwell, who works at Glendover Elementary School, currently faces charges of aggravated DUI and leaving the accident scene without providing aid or assistance to the injured person.

The Fayette County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the victim, Joshua Hampton, died on April 18, two days after he was allegedly struck by Caldwell.

Earlier reports indicated that Lexington Police Department officers responded to a call around 6:50 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16. The call was regarding a hit-and-run with a pedestrian on the 1000 block of Georgetown Road, situated roughly 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.

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.

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 charges, 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.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Two Charged After Death of Severely Underweight 7-Year-Old Who Weighed Only 19 Pounds

Inset: Joshua Mulvey appearing in Lucas County Common Pleas Court on Aug.…

Husband Charged With Murder After Wife Found Dead in California’s National Forest; He Fled to Peru

A missing California woman was found dead in a national forest, and…

January 6 Participant Involved in Fatal Crash Sentenced to Prison

Left: Lauren A. Wegner (Legacy obituary). Center: Shane Jason Woods engaged in…

Court of Appeals Overturns Civil Fraud Ruling Against Trump

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One to depart Joint Base Andrews,…

Man Accused in Sydney Screwdriver Stabbing Incident

A man has been charged after allegedly stabbing a delivery rider in…

Husband Accused of Killing His Wife Over a Year After She Went Missing

Authorities in California have filed a murder charge against the husband of…

20 Bodies Discovered in Standard Room at Coroner’s Morgue: District Attorney Reports

Inset: Brian Cotter (Pueblo County). Background: Davis Mortuary in Pueblo, Colo., where…

Live Coverage: Day Six of the Christopher Wolfenbarger Murder Trial

The murder trial resumes Thursday morning in the case against Christopher Wolfenbarger,…

Fiancé Shoots Woman at Olive Garden; She Speaks in His Defense in Court

Background: The Olive Garden location in Midland, Mich. (Google Maps). Inset: Robert…

Teenager Who Went Missing Two Years Ago Now Faces Murder Charges: Police

Share copy link Left: Gracie Landa (Durham County Jail). Right: Christopher Piedrasanta-Perez…

Police: Man attempted to meet 14-year-old social media influencer for sexual reasons

Left: Jarred Easter. Right: Easter after his arrest in Walton County, Florida,…

Judge Removes Alina Habba Due to Conflict with US Attorney

Alina Habba, a lawyer for former President Donald Trump, is seen discussing…