Toxic uncle crashes into parked car

Jay Lunsford, 39, of Eaton was arrested Tuesday morning after parents and school officials at Twin Valley Schools in West Alexandria called 911 to report his erratic driving. A school secretary told dispatchers that the man drove his 1981 Chevy pick-up onto the sidewalk at the school to drop off his niece, then drove off toward Eaton on U.S. Route 35. After witnessing his driving, the wife of a Twin Valley Schools principal followed the truck until police caught up with him in Eaton.

"Our officers got behind the vehicle here in the city limits, turned around to pull him over, but they were not able to stop him before he struck a parked vehicle," said Sgt. Chad DePew, Eaton Police.

Video from the police cruiser shows the pick-up sideswipe a parked truck, sending debris into the road.

DePew said when officers finally stopped the truck, Lunsford showed signs of serious impairment.

"All the signs of impairment were there. We suspect he was under the influence of drugs or pills," said DePew. "The parents and the child are very lucky that he at least got the child to school okay."

Lunsford now faces an OVI charge, but West Alexandria police said they are investigating the possibility of filing child endangering charges. The child's parents could also face charges if police believe they knew Lunsford was impaired when they allowed him to drive the girl to school.