Police: Woman fled accident with child

COEUR d’ALENE — A woman is charged with six misdemeanors after police said she rear-ended a car and attempted to flee the scene on foot with her 5-year-old child.

Sarah R. Hutson, 31, of Spokane, is charged with excessive DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, obstructing officers, injury to a child, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Excessive DUI refers to a blood alcohol level of .20 or higher. In Idaho, a blood alcohol level of .08 or more is considered impaired.

Police responded Dec. 6 around 8:30 p.m. to a report of a crash on Sundown Drive in Coeur d’Alene.

Two witnesses said they were driving about 5 mph to look at Christmas lights when a red SUV with Washington plates began to follow closely.

The SUV allegedly rear-ended the other car, then continued for about 20 feet before driving off the road and down an embankment, where it hit a tree.

The driver, identified as Hutson, reportedly exited the vehicle with her child and walked away.

Hutson was running down the road with her child when police arrived at the scene, according to court documents. Police said they detained her about 100 yards away from the crash site.

Police said Hutson smelled of alcohol. She allegedly told police she had “a couple glasses of wine” earlier in the day.

A search of Hutson’s vehicle yielded a vape pen and vape cartridge, according to court documents. Hutson allegedly told police the device was her “dab pen” and it contained marijuana.

Police arrested Hutson at the scene.

Hutson was released Tuesday on $5,000 bail.