Media

Chimney Rock Accident Charges

Release Date: December 11, 2002

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Deputies have charged a Memphis woman in connection with the accident that left 10 people hurt outside of Chimney Rock Elementary School in the Cordova area of Memphis.

Investigators say 81-year-old Alice Bartee of Memphis has been charged with “Violation of State Financial Responsibility Law.” Simply put, Ms. Bartee was operating her car without insurance. The State of Tennessee offense, which is a Misdemeanor violation, carries with it a fine up to $100. Ms. Bartee was issued a Misdemeanor Citation and has not been physically arrested. Ms. Bartee had arrived at the school on November 19 to pick up her granddaughter when the car she was driving jumped a curb and hit nine children and one adult,who served as a Teacher’s Aide at the school.

One child remains at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center in satisfactory condition. Everyone else involved in the accident has been released from the hospital. Traffic investigators say Ms. Bartee told them she had pulled her car near the pick-up drive at the school when her foot slipped off the brake and onto the car’s accelerator. Ms. Bartee was given drug tests shortly after the accident.

Investigators with the Tennessee Bureau of Identification say she was not under the influence of any alcohol or other drugs. Ms. Bartee will appear in Shelby County General Sessions Court on January 17, 2002, to answer the charge.

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