Miles ISD Volleyball Coach Arrested on DWI Charge After Crash

SAN ANGELO, TX-- A Miles ISD teacher and coach was arrested Tuesday on a class B misdemeanor charge of Driving While Intoxicated and released the same day.

Kaitlyn Braswell, the head volleyball and assistant softball coach for Miles, was booked into the Tom Green County Jail for the incident which occurred in the early morning hours of Friday, June 22.

Braswell was driving in a white Ford F-150 to Wall on US Highway 87 at State Loop 570 when she failed to yield the right of way and was struck in the right rear tire by an 18-wheeler at 1:36 a.m., sending her spinning clockwise according to court documents.

Initially, authorities were told the driver of the pickup had fled the scene.

Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Dustin Henderson made contact with Braswell, who was in the passenger seat of the truck after the crash.

When asked what happened, Braswell said she “did not know.” She also informed Trooper Henderson she had no knowledge of who picked her up from a downtown San Angelo bar or if the driver was male of female.

Braswell was reportedly missing a sandal on her left foot.

Tom Green County Sheriff’s Deputy Gary Hanusch saw a wallet on the driver’s side floorboard. He then walked around to the driver’s side and attempted to open the locked door. Another deputy unlocked it and Deputy Hanusch found the missing sandal along with the wallet. Authorities were able to confirm Braswell’s identity with the wallet.

There were small, “spider web” cracks on the passenger side window, where it is believed Braswell struck her head and sustained a cut above her right eyebrow. Authorities found “long dark hair” in the cracks, the same color hair as Braswell’s.

Braswell was transported to Shannon Hospital, where she was interviewed by Trooper Henderson.

Witnesses, including the driver of the 18-wheeler, told authorities they did not see a driver flee the scene. Trooper Henderson later searched the crash scene where there was “loosely plowed dirt” and said he did not find any footprints to indicate someone had fled the scene.

While at the hospital, Braswell had recollection of “various events regarding her medical history” but nothing about the events of the crash.

According to Henderson, Braswell repeatedly told him she “had done the wrong thing” and that she feared she would lose her job.

Witnesses say Braswell had entered a Wall address in her phone and was going to see a male acquaintance.

While the charge was a misdemeanor, the 2017-2018 Employee Handbook for Miles ISD states that employees must report to their principal or immediate supervisor if they are involved in a crime that involves moral turpitude. Felonies involving driving while intoxicated is listed as moral turpitude in the handbook.

We reached out to Athletic Director Charles Boles and newly appointed Superintendent Clint Askins.

Askins said Miles ISD is "completely aware of the situation" and that, upon completion of the investigation, "the school district is working with legal counsel to make sure it is handled accordingly once the investigation is complete." 

Braswell, a native of Bronte, played high school volleyball for the Lady Longhorns and was an assistant coach for the 2016 Bronte team which made it to the State Championship. At Miles, Braswell helped the Lady Bulldog softball team reach the Area Round of playoffs and the volleyball team reach the third round of playoffs during the 2017-2018 academic year.

Update 5:20 p.m. - Miles ISD Superintendent of Schools Clint Askins said, "I am completely aware of the situation and from my understanding the accident is still under investigation. At this time I am not at liberty to discuss the arrest due the ongoing investigation. Rest assured the school district is working with legal counsel to make sure it is handled accordingly once the investigation is complete."

Askins recently replaced Robert Gibson as the Miles ISD Superintendent.