Story Created:
Apr 24, 2008 at 11:21 AM EDT
Story Updated:
Apr 28, 2008 at 3:21 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND — Early Thursday morning, police arrested longtime WSBT News Anchor Debra Daniel. She faces charges of drunk driving and leaving the scene of an accident.
The arrest report says Daniel was north on Michigan Street near Memorial Hospital about 2:45 a.m. when a woman in another car veered into Daniel's lane. The two cars nudged each other, but police say neither car stopped.
The other driver called 911 reporting the crash and followed Daniel describing where she was driving.
Police pulled over both cars at Ironwood and Cleveland and Daniel was arrested. The other driver was not ticketed.
Daniel's blood alcohol level was almost twice the legal limit at 0.15.
She is suspended as the investigation continues.
John Mann, President and General Manager of WSBT-TV, released this statement:
"This morning, WSBT suspended Debra Daniel pending further investigation of her DUI arrest. WSBT has one standard for reporting, and we will cover and report on this story in the same manner we report similar stories involving public officials or persons in the public eye. Viewers can continue to watch WSBT for continuing coverage of this story."
According to police, Daniel is scheduled to appear in court next month.
Daniel has worked for WSBT for more than 13 years.
Saturday, Aug 2 at 7:40 PM Tom wrote ...
She broke the law and the system dealt with her. My only question is why would WSBT still have a direct link to this story on their google listing? Is this some sort of long term punishment she had to agree to in order to keep her job? Isn't it about time to let it go?