Tragic sledding accident leaves teen girl dead after drunk driver smashes into her: Police

An Indiana high school student is dead after she was hit by a vehicle in Newburgh, in a horrific sledding accident on Saturday.

Indy Star reports that 16-year-old Davis Collins was sledding on Saturday night when she slid onto a road at Old Lock and Dam in Newburgh. An alleged drunk driver was on the road at the same time and smashed into the teen. The impact killed Collins. When officers arrived after they were dispatched at around 10 p.m., they pronounced her dead at the scene.

Authorities arrested  20-year-old Galina Witte, the driver of the vehicle, and charged her with one count of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated while endangering others. She also faces a preliminary charge of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated with a prior conviction.

Galina White
Galina White [Photo: Indiana State police]
Last year, Witte pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, stemming from a Jan. 2017 incident that Indiana State Trooper Sgt Tom Weber called “the worst driving he’d seen in his 23-year career,” according to Mail Online.

Apparently, Witte drove from side to side of each shoulder of I-64 while speeding over 80 miles per hour. She then stopped in the middle of the left lane.

A judge ordered her to enroll and complete a substance abuse program. She was also sentenced to a year of probation and ordered to attend a victim impact session.

Posted by Galina Witte on Tuesday, November 14, 2017

 

The Warrick County Sheriff’s Office reported that the investigation is still ongoing. Meanwhile, Davis’ school principal at Castle High School, Doug Gresham, released a statement offering their sympathy and condolences.

“First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the Collier family upon the loss of their daughter, Davis. Davis was a junior at Castle High School. The Warrick County School Corporation Crisis Response Team, which is made up of school professionals, counselors, social workers, and school psychologists, is on site to provide support to everyone who has been affected by this tragedy. This tragic accident affects the entire Castle community. Our primary mission is to be here to support students, staff, and families in this time of need.”

The story is still developing. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.

[Feature Photo: Davis Collins/Handout]