Police report: Driver in deadly Tippin Elementary accident not under the influence
The driver involved in a deadly accident in the parking lot of Tippin Elementary school was not under influence of drugs or alcohol, nor was he distracted by an electronic device, a police report obtained by ABC-7 states.
The accident was reported at about 3:30 p.m. on Monday, August 13, 2018. The school is located at 6541 Bear Ridge, east of Redd Road. A woman was killed and three children were injured.
Tuesday, El Paso ISD identified the woman who died as Kharisma Aslee James. The district also identified the driver of the vehicle that struck the pedestrians as Roger Hawkins, 58.
In the police report, a section titled “offender” has no checkmarks under “drugs, alcohol, or computer.” Instead, the box titled “N/A” is checked.
Tuesday, EPISD Police Chief Victor Araiza said Hawkins was pulling out of a parking space and “became disoriented” when he struck a vehicle. At that point, Hawkins struck three children nearby, Araiza said.
As the mother of the children and other witnesses approached Hawkins, the driver once again “became disoriented.” Instead of placing the vehicle on park, Hawkins put it on drive and accelerated, striking and killing James, the police chief said.
No charges have been filed. The police report states Hawkins was driving a Chrysler 300 when he collided with an Infinity Q50. Both vehicles were impounded by Special Traffic Investigators.
ABC-7 has learned the two children of James – ages six and seven – have been released from the hospital. The third child struck by Hawkins’ car, a 10-year-old boy, remains hospitalized.
