No Charges Filed in Crash That Injured Six at Day-Care Center
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WESTMINSTER — Prosecutors said Wednesday that no criminal charges would be filed against the man who drove his car into a Garden Grove day-care center, injuring at least six children.
“There wasn’t any evidence” of criminal wrongdoing, Deputy Dist. Atty. John Lett said. “At this time, there’s not enough to file on.”
Darrell Emerson Nelson, 43, of Garden Grove was arrested Monday on suspicion of drunk driving after officers noticed the odor of alcohol and he failed balance and coordination tests. But Nelson’s blood-alcohol level was 0.04%, well below the 0.08% legal standard for drunk driving, and he tested negative for drugs.
Nelson told police he was driving 30 m.p.h. to 40 m.p.h. when he swerved to avoid an on-coming van. He plowed through a wall and into the playground of the day-care center. Six children suffered injuries ranging from cuts and bruises to a broken bone.
Claybaugh said Nelson may have failed a balance and coordination test because of injuries he suffered in the accident.
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