Dalton school building struck by suspected DUI driver

Published 2:07 pm Thursday, February 6, 2025

There was no damage to the 101 Building that it would make it unsafe after it was struck by a car Wednesday night, according to Kendra Pannell, executive director of communications for Dalton Public Schools. But there was damage to an exterior stairwell.

“The 101 Building is a Dalton Public Schools facility,” Pannell said. “It houses members of our Teaching and Learning Department, who oversee curriculum and instruction, as well as our Exceptional Student Services team and the Enrollment Office. Operations inside are continuing as normal, including student enrollment. While the incident did not impact parking, we have temporarily moved parking to the lot in front of The Annex to allow space for our facilities team to work in the area as needed. Out of an abundance of caution, we also temporarily relocated staff whose offices were closest to the accident to conference rooms further away from the site of the impact within the building.”

According to a Dalton Police Department incident report, an officer was sent to the site at 101 N. Thornton Ave. around 7:31 p.m. for a report of a vehicle striking an exterior stairwell of the building.

The officer found a white 2021 Toyota Corolla. There was no one in the vehicle. The officer said two empty 12-ounce cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, one “tall” can of Budweiser beer and a bottle of Fireball Whisky were in the vehicle.

Two officers went to the address listed on the vehicle registration. They contacted Ryan Hansen who admitted to being the driver and to having consumed alcohol.

Hansen, 23, of 916 W. Crawford St.-5, Dalton, was charged with DUI, open container violation, hit and run, reckless driving and a safety belts violation.