Former Niles elementary school teacher resigns after DUI charges

NILES, Mich. -- The volleyball coach accused of drunk driving into a ditch has resigned from the district.

Monday, we pushed for answers from Superintendent Dr. Dan Applegate and were told a conversation was all we could get.

Samantha Zimmerman was a tenured teacher at Howard-Ellis Elementary and a volleyball coach at Niles High School.

The crash happened back on July 10 in Kalamazoo County.

Zimmerman crashed her car between two lakes on the northeast end of the county.

The former elementary school teacher was charged with driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.17, over double the legal limit.

The former teacher pleaded not guilty and to possession of alcohol after a thermos was found in the cup holder that smelled of spiced rum.

The athletic director is looking for a permanent head coach while interim Emily Lewis has taken the job currently.

A Kalamazoo judge set her bail at $500 and a pre-trial hearing is set for August 23.

Follow ABC57 on all social medias for updates as we continue to follow new information on the case.