A 32-year-old Duval County middle school teacher was arrested early Sunday on multiple DUI charges after crashing an SUV into a tree on Mandarin Road, injuring a young passenger, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Credit: Florida Times-Union article
Thomas Raymond Giaimo of Wales Court is a teacher at Kernan Middle School, according to Duval County Public Schools. He was charged with DUI property damage, DUI faculties impaired, DUI accompanied by a minor, careless driving and possession of open containers of alcohol, according to his arrest report. He bailed out of jail Monday afternoon, according to police.
DCPS says that with school being out for summer break, the teacher is not in the classroom and they will follow-up when the Professional Standards investigation is closed.
The district’s Office of Professional Standards is aware of his arrest, school officials said.
Police said Giaimo was driving a Chevrolet Equinox about 7:20 p.m. when he hit a tree, knocking the vehicle on its side. A witness told officers he “just ran off the road and did not attempt to avoid the tree,” according to his arrest report. When asked what happened, Giaimo told police he was “going too fast and I hit the tree.”
Another person in the Chevrolet, apparently a minor, was taken to a hospital for a head injury, the report said. A search of the vehicle revealed several open beer cans, although Giaimo said they burst open when the crash happened.