New details in Niles HS varsity volleyball coach arrest

Niles, Mich. -- ABC57 News obtained the case report for the July 10th arrest of Niles High School varsity volleyball coach, Samantha Zimmerman, providing new details.

Zimmerman was arrested in Kalamazoo County when she crashed her car in a ditch, while driving five Niles High School students. Before being arrested, Zimmerman had a blood alcohol content more than double the legal limit.

When an officer arrived on scene around 5 p.m., the five high school students were no longer at the scene. Zimmerman said they had been picked up and taken to the game, according to the report.

The report also said Zimmerman claimed she had only had one beer at lunch and there was no alcohol in the car. She also claimed she drove into the ditch because she was distracted by the students playing music.

The report says the responding officer noticed signs of intoxication and performed a series of field sobriety tests, which she failed.

The officer also performed two preliminary breath tests. Zimmerman first blew a blood alcohol content level of .173, then blew .189 on the second test, according to the report.

Zimmerman was arrested and her car was searched, officers finding a thermos cup with ice and a strong smell. The report said, “odor resembled that of a spiced rum,”.

According to the case report, Zimmerman was logged in the Kalamazoo County Jail, charged with one count of operating with a blood alcohol content of .17 or more, and one count of possession of alcoholic liquor in a motor vehicle. Zimmerman has plead not guilty to those charges. She will have her next court date on August 5th.

ABC57 reached out to both Niles High School and the district two days ago on Wednesday, but have yet to hear back from administrators.