A school bus driver in Pennsylvania faces serious charges after allegedly transporting 54 elementary school children while intoxicated to a level more than four times the legal limit. According to authorities, the driver was seen swerving in traffic and nearly colliding with other vehicles before the bus eventually came to a stop in a snowbank.
On Tuesday, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele, alongside Douglass Township Police Chief Robert B. Evans, announced that an arrest warrant has been issued for 46-year-old Kelly Weber from Boyertown.
Weber is facing charges that include driving under the influence, 54 counts of endangering the welfare of children, reckless endangerment, and other related offenses.
The police were alerted at around 4 p.m. on February 6 about a school bus being driven erratically and narrowly avoiding other cars, according to authorities.
An officer responding to the call discovered the bus lodged in a snowbank.
Upon investigation, officers uncovered an open 750ml bottle of Tito’s vodka, two empty 50ml bottles, and a receipt indicating the alcohol had been purchased earlier that day.
According to authorities, a blood test showed Weber’s blood alcohol concentration was .331%, more than four times the legal limit of .08%, and detected Delta-9 Carboxy THC.
Investigators said 54 children were on the bus, including five younger than 6.
Several children called or texted their parents during the ride because they were frightened by the driving, and one child exited at an earlier stop and was picked up by his parents, authorities said.
“More than 50 young children were in a dangerous situation created by this defendant, who chose to consume a significant amount of alcohol and then get behind the wheel of a school bus and drive miles while intoxicated,” Steele said. “We are all thankful that this defendant didn’t crash the bus and cause further harm to these children.”
Weber checked herself into a rehabilitation facility after the incident, authorities said.
She is expected to turn herself in for arraignment, at which time bail will be set.
