Grandmother Pleads Guilty to Drunk Driving

Sharon Faulkner  pleaded guilty today in Lynn District Court to operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and child endangerment while operating under the influence of alcohol. 

She will be back in court in the morning to face remaining charges of leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and operating under the influence of alcohol, subsequent offense.  The charges stem from the same incident. 

Judge Dominic Paratore postponed sentencing today pending the outcome of tomorrow's trial.  

Faulkner admitted today that she was driving under the influence when she struck a tree on Atlantic Avenue on the morning of March 18, with her 9-year-old grandson in the car. No one was seriously injured in the accident. 

Essex Assistant District Attorney Susan Dolhun represented the Commonwealth at today's proceedings. Faulkner was represented by Attorney William Hernon.  

Faulkner was arrested at the Glover School after she dropped off her grandson in March. She failed a sobriety test and was reportedly twice the legal limit at the time of her arrest.

According to court documents, the suspect claimed she only had coffee that morning.

Police found Faulkner after an off-duty officer saw her abandoned 2001 Toyota Camry with both airbags deployed. Her car had jumped a curb and smashed into a tree.

Faulkner reportedly told police that she left the scene of the accident because she didn't want her grandson to be late for school.

Court records show Faulkner has been arrested three times for drunken driving.