A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in Slidell, Louisiana, on the morning of November 11, 2025, when five-year-old Carson Lawson was struck and killed by his own grandmother in what police describe as a devastating case of impaired driving. The incident occurred just after 7 a.m.
in the quiet Spartan Trace neighborhood, as Carson stood in the family’s driveway waiting for his school bus—a routine morning that turned into an unthinkable nightmare.According to investigators, 55-year-old Kristen Anders, Carson’s grandmother, was behind the wheel of her GMC Yukon preparing to leave for work.
Authorities later confirmed she was under the influence of alcohol and central nervous system depressants—substances known to slow reaction times and impair coordination. As she attempted to maneuver the large SUV in the driveway, she failed to see Carson standing nearby and ran over him. Neighbors reported hearing the impact followed by agonized screams as the realization of what had happened set in.
Emergency responders arrived quickly, but despite their efforts, Carson was pronounced dead at the scene from severe trauma. Anders, visibly distraught, was taken into custody after field sobriety tests and toxicology screenings confirmed impairment. She now faces multiple charges, including vehicular homicide and driving under the influence.
The Slidell community has been shaken by the tragedy, with friends, teachers, and neighbors rallying to support Carson’s grieving parents. He was remembered as a bright, joyful kindergartener who loved dinosaurs, coloring, and playing outside—a child full of promise whose life ended far too soon.
As the investigation continues, authorities are using the heartbreaking incident to highlight the devastating consequences of impaired driving. The loss of Carson Lawson has left an irreplaceable void in his family and community, serving as a painful reminder that one impaired decision can change countless lives forever.
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