School cafe manager faces DUI and child abuse charges after crash that left 12-year-old passenger seriously injured
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A local school cafe manager was charged with DUI and child abuse among other charges after allegedly crashing her car into a tree and seriously injuring a 12-year-old passenger.
KRDO13 confirmed through Atlas Schools and arrest records that 43-year-old Rachel Valdez worked there as a cafe manager through a third-party vendor.
On Saturday, Aug. 1, two children were in the car when Valdez hit a tree on Carmel Drive in southeast Colorado Springs. Valdez told the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) that a vehicle had turned into a driveway in front of her.
Valdez also admitted to having had at least one drink several hours earlier. Arrest records obtained by KRDO13 show that CSPD found several open containers of alcohol in the car.
CSPD also said Valdez could not provide proof of insurance, and her driver’s license was revoked in Colorado for a prior DUI test refusal.
Valdez was charged with DUI, child abuse, vehicular assault, driving a vehicle with an open alcoholic beverage container, driving without a license and failure to display proof of insurance, according to court records.
KRDO13 called and left a message for Valdez for comment but did not hear back.
KRDO13 spoke with the 12-year-old victim’s mother, who said she is starting to act like her normal self again and hopes to be able to return to school next month. The victim's family was not ready to comment beyond that.
Valdez was released from the El Paso County Jail on August 3 on a $10,000 bond, according to arrest records. She will have her first court appearance next week, according to the El Paso County Combined Courts.
The CEO of Atlas Schools provided KRDO13 with the following statement:
"Student safety is a top priority for Atlas Schools, and we have been in direct communication with the family to provide support and assistance during this difficult time. The individual referenced in your inquiry is not a direct employee of Atlas Schools; she is employed by a third-party contractor that provides services to the school. Our focus remains on supporting the student and family, while maintaining a safe and supportive environment for our students and community."
Harrison School District 2 told KRDO13 they just learned of this incident this week and are still gathering information.
KRDO13 also reached out to Taher, the food service provider for Atlas Schools, regarding Valdez’s current employment status with the company, and has not heard back.
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