by A Louisiana grandmother has been arrested after allegedly running over and killing her 5-year-old grandson while driving to work under the influence early Tuesday morning. Authorities described the tragedy as “any parent’s worst nightmare.”
Police say Kristen Anders, 55, struck and killed her grandson, Carson Lawson, outside her home in Slidell, around 7 a.m. Anders was reportedly pulling out of her driveway in her 2016 GMC Yukon when she hit Carson, who had been waiting for his school bus.
“It’s safe to say that I don’t think anybody believes that she knew the child was in front of her car,”
said Police Chief Daniel Seuzeneau during a press conference later that day.
Authorities allege Anders was under the influence of alcohol and sedatives at the time. She was arrested at the scene and charged with vehicular homicide.
“This is any parent’s worst nightmare,” Seuzeneau said.
“This family has not only lost their precious 5-year-old child but now must face the reality that the grandmother is under arrest for this incident.”
He added that the case has deeply affected everyone involved, including first responders.
“I was at the scene this morning, as well as several of our officers. This hits home hard for all of us,” he said.
According to police, Anders stopped immediately after realizing what had happened and has been cooperating with the investigation. The tragedy occurred about 28 miles northeast of New Orleans.
An autopsy for Carson, who had just turned 5 in June, is scheduled later this week, according to the coroner’s office.
The investigation remains ongoing.
