Drunk Elementary School Teacher Plows Into Pedestrian on the Way to Work, Police Say

A 29-year-old special education teacher from Kentucky, Jamie Caldwell, was arrested this week after allegedly driving under the influence, hitting a pedestrian on her way to work, and leaving the scene. Caldwell, employed at Glendover Elementary School in Lexington, now faces serious criminal charges, including aggravated DUI and leaving the scene of an accident involving serious injury.

Pedestrian Critically Injured in Early Morning Hit-and-Run

The incident occurred around 6:50 a.m. on Wednesday in the 1000 block of Georgetown Road in Lexington, approximately 75 miles from Louisville. According to the Lexington Police Department, officers responded to reports of a hit-and-run involving a pedestrian. The victim, whose identity has not been released, was found with life-threatening injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital by emergency medical personnel. Using surveillance technology from their Real-Time Intelligence Center, officers were able to quickly identify the suspect vehicle and driver involved in the hit-and-run. Caldwell’s car was located in the parking lot of Glendover Elementary, where she was already on campus for work.

Alcohol, Prescription Drugs, and a BAC of 0.278

When officers confronted Caldwell at the school, they observed visible damage on her vehicle. Police also noted physical signs of impairment — including bloodshot, watery eyes and a strong odor of alcohol. Caldwell allegedly admitted to drinking Bacardi rum the night before and also disclosed that she had taken prescription medications for anxiety, depression, and high blood pressure on the morning of the accident. She told investigators she heard a “thud” while driving but claimed she did not realize she had struck a person. A breathalyzer test revealed that Caldwell’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 0.278, which is more than three times the legal limit of 0.08 in Kentucky. She was immediately arrested and taken to the Fayette County Detention Center.

Legal Proceedings and School District Response

Caldwell appeared in court on Thursday via Zoom and pleaded not guilty to both charges. A magistrate judge set her cash-only bond at $25,000. Her next court date is scheduled for April 29. The Fayette County Public Schools district responded to the arrest with a brief statement confirming Caldwell has been placed on administrative leave. District spokesperson Dia Davidson-Smith emphasized that the safety of students and staff remains the district’s top priority, but declined to comment further due to the confidential nature of personnel matters and the ongoing investigation.

Community Left in Shock

The incident has left many in the Lexington school community stunned, particularly given the severity of the allegations and the critical injuries sustained by the pedestrian. As the investigation continues and the victim fights for their life, Caldwell faces the possibility of significant legal consequences — both criminally and professionally — for her actions behind the wheel.