Police in Slidell, Louisiana, say a 55-year-old woman has been arrested after allegedly running over and killing her 5-year-old grandson while driving under the influence early Tuesday morning.
Authorities responded to a call just after 7 a.m. about a child struck in a residential driveway. The driver, identified as Kristen Anders, showed “clear signs of impairment,” police said. She was taken into custody and later charged with vehicular homicide, according to Fox News.
Investigators determined that Anders had backed her 2016 GMC Yukon into the driveway before leaving for work. Her grandson, 5-year-old Carson Lawson, was waiting for the school bus and was either sitting or standing in front of the vehicle when he was struck. Police say Anders stopped after realizing she had hit something, not realizing the boy was outside at the time. Two of Carson’s siblings, who attend the same school, were nearby when the tragedy occurred.
Police Chief Daniel Seuzeneau described the incident as “heartbreaking on every level.” He said Anders appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and central nervous system depressants. She was booked and later released on a $50,000 cash surety bond.
“All we can do is pray for peace,” Seuzeneau told reporters. “This family is dealing with unimaginable loss — the death of a child and the arrest of a grandmother in the same moment.”