A Martinez babysitter driving with two young boys was drunk Saturday when she ran a red light and jumped a curb during a police chase, authorities said.
Gretchen Parker, 33, was traveling with two boys – ages 3 and 5 – when someone called 911 to complain about her driving, according to a sheriff’s report. The caller said that a Silver Kia was failing to maintain lane and almost struck the barrels in the construction zone several times.
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Deputies tracked Parker down on Old Evans Road as she approached the intersection with Washington Road.
“The light turned red and the Kia increased its speed and ran the red light,” the deputy wrote in a report. “The deputy activated his emergency equipment in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The driver failed to stop for the deputy and traveled south on Bobby Jones Expressway.”
While turning on a side road, Parker struck the concrete median, causing the vehicles left rear tire to become flat, a report says.
She finally stopped at an intersection and immediately tried to exit the vehicle, stumbling around the vehicle and using the vehicle for support.
The deputy smelled alcohol on her breath and coming from the car.
“Parker had slow slurred speech and appeared to be very intoxicated,” the officer said. “When asked where she was coming from, she at one point, told us Home Depot and then she told us that she was coming from the Dollar General. When questioned about how much she had been drinking she first told us none and then later told us about 2 or 3 drinks.”
Parker began crying when officers asked her about the boys in the vehicle. She refused to say who they belong to and then refused a Breathalyzer test.
But officers learned that Parker was babysitting the two children. The suspect eventually gave cops the mother’s name to officers could contact her.
Officers found Parker driving with a red Solo cup in the center console. Even worse, they discovered that her driver’s license was suspended.
It turns out this was not her first DUI. Richmond County officers busted her for drunk driving in January and she pleaded guilty to the charge, earning her 24 hours in jail and a suspended license, according to court records.
