MINNEAPOLIS — A 60-year-old man was charged with hitting an 11-year-old girl as she got off the school bus in May, according to the Hennepin County Attorney's Office.
Gregory Garth of Brooklyn Park was charged with two counts of criminal vehicular operation while under the influence of alcohol one count of criminal vehicular operation while under the influence of drugs.
Garth is scheduled to have an omnibus hearing on August 26. He made his initial court appearance on August 1 and bail was set at $75,000 without conditions or $40,000 with conditions.
The criminal complaint states an 11-year-old girl got off her school bust at about 4:50 p.m. on May 3 at Penn Avenue North near 23rd Avenue North. As she crossed Penn Avenue, Garth drove his car around the bus and hit the girl.
The girl was let out at a temporary stop because the normal stop was hindered by construction. As a result, the bus driver did not activate the school bus stop arm or flashing lights, according to the complaint.
Garth stopped and police detected alcohol on his breath, according to the complaint. About three hours later, a sample of Garth’s blood was taken and it registered at .077, just below the legal limit of .08. It also found traces of cocaine and THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, according to the complaint.
The girl was taken to the hospital and required three operations to relieve pressure on her brain. She is expected to suffer permanent memory loss and weakness on her left side.