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Woman arrested after driving into West End church

Posted at 6:21 AM, Dec 24, 2013
and last updated 2013-12-24 15:53:58-05

HENRICO COUNTY - Police arrested a woman Christmas Eve morning after she drove into the wall of a Henrico County church.

Mary Madeline Kaufelt (PHOTO: Henrico Police)

Mary Madeline Kaufelt (PHOTO: Henrico Police)

Police charged Mary Madeline Kaufelt, 21, with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence.

Police said Kaufelt hit Epiphany Lutheran Church, at 1400 Horsepen Road near Monument Ave., about 2:15 Tuesday.

She was not seriously injured in the crash, police said.

"The building suffered minor damage but was deemed to be structurally sound at that time," Henrico Police spokesman Lt. Salvatore Mule wrote in an email.

Christmas Eve church services were not expected to be impacted by the crash.

"There will be a lesson by her, don't drink and drive--it doesn't work," church member Wayne Shimko said.

December is the most dangerous time for Virginia drivers, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.  Last year there were hundreds of alcohol-related crashes, AAA reported 788 were preventable.

"What I do on the road is I try to really watch the other drivers to ensure their safety as well as mine," driver Artis Kelly said.

"I try to do the best I can to say alert," driver Regina Barbour said.