A 27-year-old Ketchum man was arrested on a misdemeanor DUI charge early Thursday morning after he crashed his vehicle into the playground at Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum.
Ketchum police identified the driver as Tyler Stuart Jackson, who was also charged with misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance for allegedly possessing 14 grams of psilocybin mushrooms.
Police Chief Dave Kassner said the accident happened shortly before 2 a.m. when Jackson, northbound on Second Avenue and coming from the downtown area, failed to stop at the Eighth Street intersection and crashed through a newly constructed playground fence and into a “balancing” playground piece of equipment before the vehicle came to a stop. Kassner said Jackson told police that he fell asleep while driving.
Damage to the fence, lawn and equipment was estimated at $2,000.
Jackson was scheduled for arraignment on the charges later Thursday afternoon in Blaine County Magistrate Court.
According to Blaine County court records, Jackson was convicted of misdemeanor DUI in January of this year, sentenced to five days in jail, placed on probation for 18 months and ordered to pay fines and court fees totaling $1,257.50.
He was also convicted of misdemeanor “under age 21” DUI in 2005 but was given a withheld judgment and ordered to pay fines and fees totaling $405.50.