Austin ISD Staff Member Charged with DWI with Children in Car

Austin school bus incident

Allegations Against Austin ISD Staff Member

An Austin Independent School District (AISD) staff member, 37-year-old Ralph Hutchens, who works as a physical education teacher’s assistant at Summitt Elementary School, has been put on administrative leave after being charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) with three children in the car. The incident occurred in Comal County on February 11th.

Details of the Arrest

According to the New Braunfels Police Department, the arrest took place around 2 p.m. on I-35. Hutchens was reportedly driving with three children in the car, two aged 11 and one aged nine. The officer who stopped Hutchens noted that multiple drivers had reported his vehicle for driving recklessly, swerving across lanes and almost hitting other vehicles on the interstate.

Implications of Having Children in the Car

Attorney Charlie Baird, not involved in the case, explained that the presence of children in Hutchens’ vehicle elevated the offense from a misdemeanor to a state-jail felony due to the children being under the age of 15. Hutchens was found with a bottle of vodka in the car, and he admitted to drinking the day before the arrest while driving the children back from Six Flags in San Antonio.

Legal Consequences

Hutchens has been charged with a state-jail felony, which carries a potential punishment of up to two years in a state jail facility and a fine of up to $10,000. Despite having three children in the car, the offense remains a single DWI charge as it pertains to the act of driving.

Response from Austin ISD

Following the arrest, AISD placed Hutchens on administrative leave pending further investigation into the incident. The school district has not yet issued a public statement regarding the matter.

Conclusion

The allegations against Ralph Hutchens serve as a reminder of the serious legal consequences and risks involved in driving under the influence, especially when children are passengers in the vehicle. The legal process will determine the outcome of this case as the accused faces potential repercussions for his actions.