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A Pennsylvania school bus driver is facing serious charges after allegedly operating a school bus with 54 young students aboard while having a blood alcohol concentration more than four times the legal limit. Authorities reported that the driver was seen swerving through traffic and narrowly avoiding collisions before the bus eventually came to a stop in a snowbank.
On Tuesday, officials from Montgomery County, including District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Douglass Township Police Chief Robert B. Evans, announced the issuance of an arrest warrant for Kelly Weber, a 46-year-old resident of Boyertown.
Weber is facing multiple charges, including driving under the influence, 54 counts of endangering the welfare of children, and reckless endangerment, along with several related summary offenses.
Police were notified around 4 p.m. on February 6 after receiving reports of a school bus being driven erratically and nearly colliding with other vehicles.
The driver, allegedly with a blood alcohol concentration of .331%, is now confronted with both DUI charges and 54 counts of child endangerment, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
A responding officer later found the bus stopped in a snowbank.
Investigators said officers found an open 750ml bottle of Tito’s vodka, two empty 50ml bottles and a receipt showing the alcohol was purchased earlier that morning.
A Pennsylvania school bus driver is accused of driving 54 children with a .331% BAC before stopping in a snowbank. She faces DUI and 54 child endangerment counts. (iStock)
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.
A Pennsylvania school bus driver is accused of driving 54 children with a .331% BAC before stopping in a snowbank. She faces DUI and 54 child endangerment counts. (iStock, File)
“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.
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