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A Montgomery County, Pennsylvania school bus driver faces an arrest warrant after allegedly driving 54 elementary school children while her blood alcohol level was more than four times the legal limit.
Kelly Weber, 46, of Boyertown, was charged following a February Wednesday (Feb. 6) incident in Douglass Township. According to investigators, Weber's blood alcohol content (BAC) registered at .331% — well above Pennsylvania's legal limit of .08%. A blood test also detected THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
Weber faces charges of driving under the influence (DUI), 54 counts of endangering the welfare of children, and 54 counts of reckless endangerment.
Police were alerted around 4 p.m. on that Wednesday (Feb. 6) after reports that a school bus was driving erratically and narrowly missing other vehicles. A responding officer found the bus stopped in a snowbank near Second Avenue and Gilbert Road. Officers discovered an open 750-milliliter bottle of Tito's vodka, two empty 50-milliliter bottles, and a receipt showing the alcohol had been purchased earlier that morning.
Investigators said bus video showed Weber crossing the double yellow line into oncoming traffic multiple times. Five of the 54 children onboard were under six years old. Several frightened students texted or called their parents during the ride. One student reported that Weber kept closing her eyes while driving slowly. Another child got off at an earlier stop because of Weber's behavior.
Parents of students onboard described the ordeal. Amanda Asbury, whose son was on the bus, said: "My youngest son told me that she almost hit a telephone pole, almost tipped the bus; they were just so scared." Carter Colon, whose younger brother was also a passenger, said his brother "was scared, but he said he'll be OK."
Authorities noted that Weber had completed an earlier bus route carrying high school students before picking up the elementary school children.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele addressed the charges directly. "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 immediately after the incident. Authorities say arrangements are being made for her to surrender to police, at which time bail will be set.
Quigley Bus Service, Weber's employer, confirmed she has been fired. The company says it is now increasing drug and alcohol testing beyond what Pennsylvania state law requires.