A tragic incident unfolded in Slidell, Louisiana, leading to the arrest of a grandmother accused of running over her 5-year-old grandson while allegedly driving under the influence. The heartbreaking event occurred on Wednesday morning.
The woman, identified as 55-year-old Kristen Anders, faces charges of vehicular homicide, as reported by the Slidell Police Department. Following her arrest, Anders was granted a cash surety bond set at $50,000.
Police responded to a call just after 7 a.m. regarding an accident involving a young child in the 300 block of Spartan Loop. On arrival, officers discovered that 5-year-old Carson Lawson had been struck by a vehicle in a driveway.
According to authorities, Carson was waiting for his school bus and was positioned in front of Anders’ 2016 GMC Yukon, which had been parked in reverse in the driveway. It was during this time that the tragic accident occurred.
During a news conference, Slidell Police Chief Daniel Seuzeneau stated that Anders was unaware of her grandson’s presence outside when the incident happened. She stopped the vehicle immediately upon realizing she had hit something.
Anders was not aware Lawson was outside at the time of the crash, and immediately stopped the car when she realized she hit something, Slidell Police Chief Daniel Seuzeneau said during a news conference.
It is unclear if Lawson was standing or sitting in front of the car before the incident.
Seuzeneau confirmed the 5-year-old had two siblings that went to the same school, who were “in the vicinity” during the tragedy.
Kristen Anders, 55, is charged with vehicular homicide, according to police. (Slidell Police Department)
Police noted she “exhibited signs of impairment” immediately following the crash, and officers determined she was under the influence of alcohol and central nervous system depressants.
“I spoke with the victim’s mother several times today, and there isn’t anything that I can say to make her feel any better, or make this situation better,” Seuzeneau said.
Kristen Anders is accused of being drunk when she allegedly ran over her young grandson. (Slidell Police Department)
“All we can do is pray for peace. I just want everybody to understand that this is a very tragic situation for this family, because not only do they lose their precious 5-year-old child, they’re also having to deal with the fact that the grandmother is now under arrest for this incident,” he added. “It makes a bad situation worse. We can all cast judgment and come to our own conclusions, but nobody, I mean nobody, wins in this case.”
The St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office did not immediately respond to additional inquiries from Fox News Digital.
