A 19-year-old female pleaded guilty Monday (March 20) in city court to a first offense of DUI and no driver’s license after the car she was driving cut a path of destruction on the grounds of the Tallahatchie County Courthouse in Charleston early Sunday (March 19).
Charleston Police Chief Jerry Williams II identified the woman as Shania Gipson, a resident of Meek Circle in Charleston, and court records show she was assessed fines and fees totaling $885 Monday in Charleston Municipal Court.
Williams said Gipson was driving a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox eastbound from West Main Street onto Court Square when she apparently lost control of the vehicle.
About a quarter after midnight, the car jumped a curb, destroyed a teak bench and two teak side tables, smashed a bird bath, tore through plants and bushes and left ruts in the lawn before coming to a stop near the southeast corner of the courthouse.
During the investigation, Williams said an officer detected "the odor of an intoxicating beverage," after which Gipson was arrested.
“There wasn’t any damage to the building, but everything else adds up to about $3,000 worth of damage,” said Tallahatchie County Sheriff Jimmy Fly, who under state law is guardian of the county courthouses and grounds.
The car, which was not Gipson’s, was insured, noted Williams, who said no restitution has been ordered pending a claim.
If the insurance does not pay, Gipson would be liable, he added. She would be given time to reimburse the county or else face an additional criminal charge stemming from the damage.
Due to the monetary value of the damages, the offense would be classified as a felony, said Williams.
