Murray County: Middle school teacher sentenced on DUI, speeding charges

ETON, Ga. - A Murray County middle school teacher arrested for driving under the influence while on her way to school was sentenced to 12 months probation and will be required to attend an alcohol treatment program.

Jennifer Ziegler, 45, of Chatsworth, also will also pay almost $1,000 in fines and perform 40 hours of community service.

She entered a no-contest plea to the DUI charge in Eton Municipal Court this morning. She pleaded guilty to charges of speeding and following too closely.

Ziegler, who appeared in court with her lawyer, James Toland, told the judge she already was enrolled in a treatment program and planned to continue it.

Danny Dunn, personnel director for Murray County Schools, could not immediately be reached for comment on Zeigler's status with the school system.

Zeigler was arrested after an Eton police officer clocked her 2010 Nissan Altima doing 63 mph in a 35 mph zone on U.S. Highway 411, according to the police report.

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Before the officer pulled Zeigler over, she hit a truck stopped at a red light and nearly hit another vehicle as she turned onto Georgia Highway 286, the report says.

Zeigler told the officer several times that she had to leave so she could make it to Bagley Middle School to open the school at 6:30 a.m., the report says.

Zeigler, who teaches seventh-grade language arts, has been with the school system for about 26 years.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.

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