BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A Bethlehem Area School District principal placed on a leave of absence was charged with drunken driving after crashing into three cars in a shopping center parking lot, according to court records.
Erin Hines, principal at Hanover Elementary School, had a blood-alcohol content of .326 percent — four times over the legal limit — after being arrested outside the old Valley Farm Market at the Stefko Shopping Center on Saturday, March 29, police said.
Hines, 46, of Bethlehem, is charged with driving under the influence and driving under the influence at the highest rate (greater than .16 percent).
Police were called at 12:31 p.m. and found Hines in The Fresh Grocer lot standing next to her damaged vehicle. She said she had been trying to back up when she backed into the rear of a parked vehicle, according to a police affidavit of probable cause.
Hines told police she panicked and then drove forward into the side of another parked vehicle, which slid forward from the impact and hit a third vehicle.
"The District is performing its own independent investigation and will update the school community to the extent it is legally able when findings are available."Bethlehem Area School District statement
Police said Hines was unsteady on her feet, had glassy eyes and her breath smelled like alcohol. She told a police officer she had a glass of wine earlier, according to the affidavit. She consented to a breath test and was taken to a hospital, where blood was drawn.
Laboratory results showed her blood alcohol content at .326, police said. The legal limit is 0.08 percent.
The school district last month posted a notice of Hines’ leave “because of an incident that transpired” but didn’t elaborate. She was named principal in 2019.
Administrator Eric Fontanez assumed administrative responsibilities in her absence.
Bethlehem police filed the charges, both misdemeanors, on Friday. Hines did not have to appear in court.
District Judge Nicholas Englesson set a preliminary hearing on the charges for May 15.
School district officials Friday acknowledged the charges against Hines but said they cannot comment on personnel matters.
"The District is performing its own independent investigation and will update the school community to the extent it is legally able when findings are available," said a statement on the school district website. "We will provide further updates on any permanent staffing decisions as they are finalized. As always, we will take all steps necessary to ensure safety, quality education, and effective leadership within the District."
