Being a school bus driver has its challenges and stresses. In such a position, a single person has the responsibility of likely more than 30 students at a time on his or her shoulders. They must drive them home or to school safely while also monitoring and controlling their behavior on the bus — oftentimes with no additional support personnel. However, one county in Illinois is claiming that one bus driver handled this stress in a unique, and illegal, manner. The driver now faces a DUI charge.
In early September, a 42-year-old female bus driver reportedly began her regular bus route by picking up children. However, this bus route would turn out far from her normal. After a stop at an elementary school, one teacher reported that she smelled alcohol on the bus driver and reported it. Police officers were waiting for her at the next stop.
A field sobriety test was administered, but the actual results of that are unknown, as is her blood alcohol level. However, the woman was arrested and charged with aggravated DUI, a felony. Parents of students in the school system are already calling for jail time.
Unfortunately, the bus driver is a victim of an all too common occurrence in this country. Even though a person’s innocence is assumed until proved otherwise, those who are calling for the women’s imprisonment have already convicted her. Everyone who fights a DUI charge or other criminal charge has the right for due process in an Illinois court. Many people in this case are overlooking the fact that the only real evidence released is that a teacher smelled alcohol — an occurrence that could have a perfectly logical, and legal, explanation.
Source: NBC Chicago, Suburban School Bus Driver Charged With DUI, Christian Farr and Marcus Riley, Sept. 14, 2013