Troopers report 7-year-old was mom's designated driver

FAIRBANKS - A Fairbanks woman is accused of letting her 7-year-old son be her designated driver.

Karen K. Koch is charged with reckless endangerment and permitting an unauthorized person to drive.

Troopers say they received a call Monday night from a neighbor who saw a young boy driving a car with a passed out passenger.

Troopers say they traced the plates to Koch's home, arriving as the boy was getting out of the driver's seat.

Troopers say the 37-year-old woman woke up a few minutes later, and said she let her son drive from a nearby stop sign. According to a criminal complaint, she told troopers that she didn't see what the problem was.

Troopers say Koch has three previous drunken driving convictions and failed a sobriety test that night. She was released from jail after posting $250 bail.