HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (Queen City News) – A Cabarrus County Schools principal arrested for driving under the influence in Mecklenburg County is free on bail, court records confirm.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:21 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026. According to Mecklenburg County court records, an officer reported seeing a white SUV cross the center line and commit multiple violations while also following a tractor-trailer. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the vehicle was described as “slow to a stop.”
Responding officers noted that Krina Pressley, also known as Krina Patel, was slow with her speech and movements and that she was fumbling through a document while being stopped. She reportedly told officers she had “a glass of wine” and smelled a slight odor of alcohol.
Photo: Krina Pressley, Mecklenburg County Detention Center
Court records show she gave a breathalyzer test reading of 0.14.
The bond price, $2,500, was announced.
Mecklenburg County plans to hold two hearings on the case in January.
Patel currently serves as principal of Harris Road Middle School in Concord. Cabarrus County Schools said in a statement, “Cabarrus County Schools is aware of the allegations against Harris Road Middle School Principal Krishna Patel. She is currently on administrative leave pending further review. We have no further comment on this personnel matter.”
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