Tucker High School teacher suspended after incident in campus parking lot

The Brief

• Minnie Turner, a Tucker High School teacher, was arrested for DUI after reportedly hitting multiple vehicles in the school parking lot.

• Turner, 60, was returning to campus after a morning food run when the incident occurred.

• She has been placed on paid administrative leave and was booked into DeKalb County Jail.

TUCKER, Ga. - A Tucker High School teacher is facing serious charges after an incident in the school parking lot on Monday morning. Minnie Turner, 60, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence after reportedly striking multiple vehicles.

According to authorities, Turner was returning to the school campus after a morning food run when she struck a vehicle and continued driving, eventually hitting more cars once she entered the parking lot. DeKalb County Schools Police took her into custody at the scene, and she was later booked into the DeKalb County Jail.

Turner has since been placed on paid administrative leave, according to school officials.

Students at Tucker High have expressed a range of reactions to the incident, which has been the focus of discussion on campus.

"People are just talking about how surprising it was," said student Violet Lahr.

While some students expressed empathy, others emphasized the importance of accountability.

"People make mistakes. It may have been a bad day for her personally. You never know what she’s going through," said Nyara Parker, a student.

Colin Mott, another student, added, "I hope she learns her lesson and doesn’t do it again."

Despite their mixed reactions, most students acknowledged the incident was disheartening.

"It’s sad to see because I know a lot of teachers work very hard and set a good example for the students," Lahr said.

Turner declined to comment on the incident when reached by FOX 5 on Wednesday, citing the ongoing nature of the case.

The school sent out the following letter after the arrest:

Dear Tucker High School Community,

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) and our school prioritize the safety and well-being of all students and staff. We take reports of improper or unlawful behavior seriously and address them promptly and appropriately. This message provides our families with accurate and timely information regarding an incident at our school today.

As you may have heard, a school employee was arrested this morning following property damage in our campus parking lot. DCSD Police are investigating the matter and have arrested the staff member based on initial evidence and witness statements. Following District protocols, the employee has been placed on administrative leave and is not allowed on any DCSD property until the investigation is concluded.

While we cannot provide further details about this incident to protect the integrity of the investigation and the employee's rights, I can confirm that no one was injured because of it. I appreciate your understanding and continued support of Tucker High School.

Sincerely, Dr. Eric Parker, Principal

The employee's identity was confirmed as Minnie Yvette Turner by the school district. She is currently listed as a science teacher on the school's website.

According to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, Turner was arrested for driving under the influence. She was booked at 10:57 a.m. Dec. 9 and released at 12:16 a.m. Dec. 11.

The Source

Details in this article were provided by the DeKalb County Schools, DeKalb County Police Department, and FOX 5 Atlanta original reporting.

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