A Columbia middle school teacher accused of driving under the influence when she was involved a crash in Willimantic on Wednesday afternoon that sent a 78-year-old man to the hospital has a prior history of drunken driving convictions.
Jessica Duers, 44, of Mansfield, was charged with driving under the influence, second-degree assault with a motor vehicle and restricted turns and failing to signal after a crash on West Main Street around noon.
She taught one class at Horace W. Porter School on Wednesday before going home sick late in the morning, according to Columbia Superintendent Laurence Fearon. He said that there was no indication that she was under the influence of anything at school.
Duers is a part-time life skills teacher, a subject similar to home economics, and has been at the school since September.
Duers has two prior driving under the influence convictions on her record, according to the state judicial website.
She was charged with driving under the influence incident after an incident on Sept. 29, 2009 and again nearly three months later on Dec. 22, 2009. She was sentenced to brief jailtime for both convictions.
Her husband, Chris confirmed the prior arrests, saying his wife has struggled with the issue in the past and that she's had past incidents in East Hampton.
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"She's a very good person, but obviously has done some regrettable things," he said.
Two cars were involved in the crash and a female passenger in the other vehicle, as well as a 78-year-old man who was walking on the sidewalk, were taken to Windham Hospital for treatment. Route 32 was closed between Route 66 and Capitol Avenue as police responded, but the road has since reopened.
Driver Suspected of DUI in Afternoon Crash
Duers has not been placed on leave and Fearon said that the district is working to get all the facts before proceeding.
She is being held on $50,000 and is due in Danielson Superior Court today
