Grandma under the influence strikes, kills 5-year-old grandson while pulling out of driveway, police say

SLIDELL, La. (WVUE/Gray News) – A grandmother in Louisiana is accused of striking and killing her 5-year-old grandson with her vehicle in a driveway while under the influence.

The Slidell Police Department said officers responded to the home in the Spartan Trace subdivision shortly after 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Police said the child was waiting for the school bus, standing in front of a 2016 GMC Yukon that was backed into the driveway.

The driver, identified as the boy’s grandmother, 55-year-old Kristen Anders, did not notice he was outside and continued to leave for work before striking him with her vehicle, police said.

Investigators said they determined Anders was under the influence of alcohol and central nervous system depressants.

She was arrested at the scene for vehicular homicide.

“This is any parent’s worst nightmare,” said Slidell Police Chief Daniel Seuzeneau. “I was at the scene this morning, as well as several of our officers. This affects everyone. This hits home hard for all of us and all of the first responders who were at that scene.”

The child was later identified as Carson Lawson, who had turned 5 years old in June. The coroner’s office said an autopsy is scheduled for this week.

The investigation is ongoing.