CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) -- A martial arts instructor was charged with drunk driving with 7 children aboard a van in Chesterfield Tuesday morning.
Police sources confirmed Tuesday night that a karate instructor arrested for DUI and felony child endangerment earlier Tuesday had a blood alcohol content level around .24, more than three times the legal limit.
Police pulled over martial arts instructor Kristina Mangrum, as she was headed eastbound on Hull Street, just past Hampton Park, driving a Martial Arts World van.
"I saw police pull the Martial Arts van over," said Gary Lunsford. "There were two officers: one went towards the driver, the other was talking to the kids."
According to police, seven children were on board, ranging in age from six to 14.
Sources tell CBS-6 that calls had been coming into the dispatch center about the van swerving on Hull Street when police intercepted it.
One parent we spoke with says it sounds like police were in the right place at the right time. "It’s very scary to think someone you entrust with your children, would put them in danger like that," said Maggie McCall.
Mangrum was arrested at the scene, and multiple police sources say around 9:15 Tuesday morning, her blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit.
CBS-6 legal expert Todd Stone says that will most likely hurt her in front of a judge.
"A DUI has enhanced penalties anytime the blood alcohol content is high and in this case we are talking mandatory jail time, because kids were in the van," said Stone.
Mangrum is an instructor at the Amelia County Martial Arts World. Police believe she was taking a group of kids to the Brandermill location.
The owner of that Brandermill location told CBS-6 off-camera that they take the allegations seriously. He said in addition to the police investigation, they're conducting their own internal one, saying the safety of the children and families is the highest priority.
Mangrum is due in court Wednesday morning.
CBS 6 did some digging on her driving record and found guilty pleas for two speeding charges, a following-too-closely charge and a failure-to-obey-highway-signs charge.
