WOMAN ACCUSED OF HITTING 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHILE PASSING STOPPED SCHOOL BUS ADMITTED TO DAILY VODKA DRINKING, POLICE SAY

A 39-year-old Kentucky woman is facing multiple charges after allegedly driving past a stopped school bus and striking a 10-year-old girl who was trying to board it. Authorities identified the suspect as Ashley Parsons of Georgetown. The crash happened on the morning of August 20, when the school bus had its stop arm extended to warn approaching drivers to stop.

According to court documents, the bus driver saw an SUV approaching and honked the horn in an attempt to alert the driver. The vehicle allegedly continued forward and hit the child with such force that her shoes were knocked off. Witnesses said the girl was thrown from the area near the front of the bus and landed close to its rear tires.

The child was rushed to a hospital with injuries that included a head laceration and a concussion. Later reports also indicated that she suffered a broken elbow and a black eye. Although her injuries could have been much worse, she was able to recover at home, according to local news reports. Her father witnessed the collision and described the experience as deeply distressing.

Police said Parsons left the scene after the crash. When officers later located her, they reportedly noticed signs of intoxication and damage to the front of her SUV. During questioning, Parsons allegedly told investigators she remembered seeing the school bus stopped but did not recall seeing its stop sign or hitting a child. An officer also testified that she admitted to drinking half a gallon of vodka every day after work before driving around town.

Parsons faces charges including aggravated driving under the influence, first-degree assault, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident or failing to render aid, and illegally passing a school bus that is loading or unloading children. She has pleaded not guilty. During a recent court hearing, a judge denied her request to change her $50,000 bond, finding that the evidence presented raised serious concerns about the potential danger she could pose to the community.

The girl’s parents attended the hearing and opposed any reduction in the bond. The case has drawn attention to the risks children face when boarding school buses and the importance of drivers obeying stop-arm signals. Parsons is scheduled to return to court on December 11 as the legal proceedings continue. The charges remain allegations, and the case has not yet reached a final resolution.

Read more: https://lawandcrime.com/crime/woman-who-blew-past-school-bus-stop-arm-and-hit-10-year-old-girl-so-hard-it-knocked-her-shoes-off-said-she-drank-half-a-gallon-of-vodka-every-day-before-driving-cops/