Mooresville High School student hit by suspected drunk driver on way to bus

MOORESVILLE — A Mooresville High School student was struck by a suspected drunk driver early Tuesday while crossing the road near a bus stop, police and fire officials say.

It happened at the intersection of North Indiana Street and East County Line Road, according to Mooresville Fire Chief Matt Dalton. That's on the far northern end of town.

The student was taken to the hospital for an evaluation, Dalton said.

Mooresville High School said in a Facebook post that all high schoolers and Paul Hadley Middle School students that ride bus 13 will be picked up about 30 minutes late.

Mooresville police spokesman Brock Chipman told WRTV the driver was arrested on suspicion of driving intoxicated.

The student was stable after the crash but suffered a serious injury due to a fracture, Chipman said.

The driver, later identified as Michael W. Simpson, 35, was charged Wednesday with the following:

• Causing serious bodily injury when operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated
• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person
• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
• Possession of paraphernalia

A probable cause affidavit alleges Simpson told police he was still drunk from the day when he struck the girl.

The collision sent the girl into the air before Simpson rolled over her, according to the document.

Simpson had not been scheduled for an initial court appearance as of Wednesday.

A GoFundMe has been created to help the family.