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Accident – Death – Obituary News : 
CHISAGO COUNTY, MN — In a shocking incident that took place in Chisago County, Minnesota, authorities have charged a 59-year-old woman with two counts of driving while intoxicated (DWI) after she crashed a school bus carrying 45 children into a basketball pole.
Kara Ffrench, a resident of Harris, was behind the wheel of the school bus when the incident occurred. The Chisago County Sheriff’s Office received a report on Thursday morning, just after 8 a.m., that a school bus had collided with a basketball pole and was stuck on private property in Rush City.
Upon arriving at the scene, a sergeant noticed that the bus was wedged between a cornfield and the basketball pole and hoop. The bus’s engine was still running, raising concerns among the authorities.
Ffrench, who was still seated in the driver’s seat, emitted a strong odor of alcohol, according to the criminal complaint. Her sluggish movements and apparent confusion while operating the bus further indicated signs of impairment.
When questioned about the cause of the crash, Ffrench repeatedly claimed that her “foot didn’t find the brake,” according to the criminal complaint.
The school bus was carrying a total of 45 children, with the majority being elementary school-aged and under 16 years old. The remaining children were of high school age. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the children.
Following the accident, the children were safely transported to school on a replacement bus that arrived at the scene.
After exiting the bus, Ffrench was found to be carrying a plastic water bottle and an insulated coffee mug, which raised further concerns about her state. She was subjected to a “walk and turn” test, which she failed to complete successfully on two attempts, as stated by the investigators.
A preliminary breath test revealed a blood alcohol level of 0.199, significantly surpassing the legal limit of 0.08 in Minnesota. Despite the evidence, Ffrench denied consuming any alcohol when questioned by the investigators.
Later, while in custody, Ffrench underwent another breath test, which yielded a result of 0.17, confirming her intoxicated state.
This incident highlights the dangers of driving under the influence and the potential risks posed to innocent lives. It serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible and sober driving, especially when tasked with the responsibility of transporting children.
Authorities will continue to investigate the matter and ensure that appropriate legal actions are taken against Ffrench for endangering the lives of the school children.
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