Georgetown, Kentucky — A 39-year-old woman is facing multiple criminal charges after authorities accused her of striking a 10-year-old girl near a stopped school bus and leaving the scene. During court proceedings, the woman reportedly admitted to drinking half a gallon of vodka every day after work before driving around town.
Ashley Parsons has been charged with aggravated driving under the influence (DUI), first-degree assault, leaving the scene of an accident or failure to render aid, reckless driving and passing a loading school bus, according to the Georgetown Police Department and jail records. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
A judge has declined to reduce her bond, ruling that evidence presented during a hearing indicated she posed a danger to the community.
What Happened Near the School Bus in Georgetown?
The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. on August 20, when a 10-year-old girl was crossing Valley Forge Court in Georgetown, Kentucky, to reach her school bus.
According to court documents, the bus had its stop arm extended, signaling approaching motorists to stop. The bus driver reportedly noticed an approaching SUV and repeatedly honked in an attempt to alert the driver.
Authorities allege that the SUV, reportedly driven by Parsons, continued moving and struck the child. Witness accounts described in court documents obtained by a local television station indicated that the impact was severe.
“Witnesses on scene advised that the child was struck so violently that it knocked her shoes off and that she was thrown from the area of the front of the bus and landed near the rear tires of the bus,” the documents stated.
Investigators also alleged that Parsons had been driving at an extremely fast pace before the collision.
Child Suffered a Head Laceration and Concussion
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and took the girl to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Court documents stated that she suffered a laceration to the head and a concussion. Her injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
Authorities have not provided further details about her recovery in the information available from the initial report.
The incident has also drawn attention to the dangers children face when boarding school buses, particularly when motorists fail to obey stop-arm signals.
Drivers approaching a stopped school bus must follow applicable traffic laws designed to protect children entering or leaving the vehicle. Ignoring a deployed stop arm can place children crossing the roadway at serious risk.
Police Say Driver Left the Scene
According to investigators, the SUV continued away from the area after the child was struck.
Officers later located and detained Parsons. Police reportedly observed damage to the front of her black SUV, along with signs that she may have been intoxicated.
Court documents stated that Parsons remembered seeing the stopped school bus but said she did not see a stop sign or remember striking a child.
Her reported statements and the condition of the vehicle formed part of the allegations described during the proceedings.
Parsons now faces several charges connected to the collision, including aggravated DUI and first-degree assault. The charges remain allegations, and she has pleaded not guilty.
Woman Reportedly Described Daily Vodka Consumption
One of the most significant details discussed in court involved Parsons’ reported alcohol consumption.
According to the court documents cited in the report, she admitted to drinking half a gallon of vodka every day after work before driving around town.
The allegation was raised as part of the proceedings concerning her release conditions. Authorities have not established the charges through a trial, and the reported admission should be understood in the context of the ongoing criminal case.
The case includes allegations of impaired driving, a collision involving a child and leaving the scene without stopping to provide assistance.
Judge Rejects Request to Lower Bond
During a Tuesday hearing, Parsons’ defense attorney asked 14th Judicial Circuit Judge Kathryn Gabhart to modify the existing $50,000 bond.
California DoorDash Driver Found Dead in Tesla Trunk After 3-Month Investigation Leads to Arrest
The defense proposed increasing the bond to $100,000 while requiring only 10% to be paid, which would have allowed Parsons to seek release by paying $10,000.
After hearing details of the allegations, the judge rejected the request. The judge reportedly found “clear and convincing evidence” that Parsons posed a danger to the community.
The victim’s parents also spoke during the hearing, expressing concerns about the alleged conduct and the possibility of Parsons being released.
“She kept going; she’s a danger,” the parents said. “Come on now, y’all can’t say she’s not a danger to the community. She has kids, and she’s a danger to her own kids.”
What Happens Next in the Case?
Parsons is expected to return to court on December 11. The next proceedings will determine how the case moves forward.
For now, she remains accused of multiple offenses stemming from the August collision. The allegations include passing a school bus with its stop arm extended, driving under the influence, striking a child and leaving the scene.
The injured girl’s reported non-life-threatening injuries and the judge’s decision on bond have become central details in a case that highlights the potential consequences of dangerous driving around school buses.
What should happen when a driver allegedly ignores a school bus stop arm and injures a child? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
