Fayette Co. teacher charged with DUI in crash that seriously injured pedestrian
A Fayette County Public Schools special education teacher was arrested Wednesday morning after driving drunk and hitting a pedestrian, according to court documents.
The collision happened around 6:50 a.m. on Georgetown Road, near Mercer Road. The pedestrian was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The driver, Jaime Caldwell, 29, fled the scene but was arrested about 90 minutes later at Glendover Elementary School, where she works, police said. She was charged with aggravated DUI and leaving the scene of an accident/failure to render aid/assist with death or serious physical injury.
Her blood-alcohol content was 0.278%, more than three times the legal limit to drive, police said.
When police arrived at the school, they saw Caldwell’s damaged vehicle and bloodshot eyes, and they smelled alcohol on her, according to charging documents.
Caldwell admitted to police she drank Bacardi the previous night, according to her arrest citation. She also told police she took prescribed medication Wednesday morning, according to her arrest citation.
She told officers she heard a thud while driving but did not know she hit a person, according to the arrest citation. She failed multiple field sobriety tests.
Dia Davidson-Smith, spokesperson for the district, confirmed Caldwell is a learning and behavior disorder teacher at Glendover Elementary and that she is on administrative leave.
“Fayette County Public Schools is aware of the situation involving (Jaime) Caldwell. Due to the ongoing investigation and the confidential nature of personnel matters, we are limited in what we can share at this time,” the school district said in a statement.
The Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating the crash, Whitcomb said. Police said additional charges are possible.
Caldwell is being held at the Fayette County Detention Center, police said.
This story was originally published April 16, 2025 at 9:47 AM.
