Brooklyn Park man pleads guilty in bus stop crash that injured 11-year-old girl
Gregory Garth[Hennepin County Sheriff's Office]
A Brooklyn Park man charged with hitting an 11-year-old girl with his car back in May 2019 changed his plea to guilty on Wednesday.
According to a court document, 61-year-old Gregory Garth pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of criminal vehicular operation while under the influence of any amount of a Schedule I or II controlled substance. The change in plea came as part of a plea deal. Garth was originally charged with three counts of criminal vehicular operation, all of which he pleaded not guilty to.
According to a criminal complaint, 11-year-old Shianne Dean got off her school bus at 4:50 p.m. on May 3, 2019. As Dean was crossing the street, Garth drove his Saturn car around the bus and hit her.
The complaint says the bus stop was at a usual stop that was hindered by construction. Therefore, the bus driver did not active the school bus stop arm or flashing light.
Brooklyn Park man charged after car hit girl getting off school bus in May
Garth ended up stopping, and the police detected alcohol on his breath, according to the complaint. When a blood sample was taken three hours later, Garth's blood registered at 0.77, just below the legal limit of .08, but traces of cocaine and THC were also found.
Garth is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on March 23.