LEWISBURG, W.Va. (WVDN) – A Lewisburg woman is facing multiple charges, including driving under the influence with a minor, child neglect and shoplifting, after police say she drove erratically with her daughter in the vehicle and admitted to taking flowers from a closed Walmart.
An officer of the Lewisburg Police Department stopped Rebekah Simmons on April 30 after observing her red Chevrolet pickup exit a Go Mart parking lot by stopping in the oncoming traffic lane before merging into her own lane. The vehicle had an expired registration sticker, no registration lights and a non-functional third brake light, according to the criminal complaint.
During the stop, the officer reported that Simmons showed signs of impairment, including slurred speech and difficulty following instructions. She consented to field sobriety tests, which indicated further signs of intoxication.
Inside the vehicle was Simmons’ daughter, a juvenile, who told police her mother had run off the road into a ditch near Shoney’s, crossing both lanes of traffic and causing both occupants to hit their heads inside the truck.
The Lewisburg Police Department also responded to the scene, where the child told officers that her mother had taken flowers from Walmart without paying because the store was closed and they intended to pay later. EMS was dispatched after the juvenile reported feeling dizzy and having “crooked” vision. Although medics evaluated her, Simmons’ mother declined hospital treatment for the child upon arrival.
Police obtained a search warrant for a blood draw to test for impairing substances. Simmons was taken to Greenbrier Valley Medical Center, where her blood was collected and she was cleared for injuries. She was then transported to the Southern Regional Jail.
Simmons is charged with DUI with a minor, child neglect creating a risk of injury, shoplifting, driving without insurance and expired registration. A referral was made to Child Protective Services.
