School bus driver charged with driving 32 kids while intoxicated
An Indiana school bus driver was busted for allegedly driving under the influence — with some of the 32 kids on her bus calling in to report her driving them erratically, authorities said.
Kayla Pier, 38, was arrested Thursday, months after the alarming Sept. 20 drive from La Porte Middle School to Riley Elementary School in La Porte County, cops said.
During the drive, some of the 32 kids on the bus immediately reported Pier for her “driving behaviors and mannerisms,” La Porte County Sheriff’s Office said.
The school’s transportation director then intercepted the bus and removed the driver — who resigned later that day.
However, the criminal investigation was not launched until more than a month later, when school officials passed along results from a toxicology test, cops said. It was not immediately clear why that was carried out by the school body rather than cops.
Investigators also found video from the school bus, as well as footage taken by some of the concerned kids onboard, police said.
Pier faces charges of operating while intoxicated and neglect of a dependant.
The sheriff’s office commended the “courageous students aboard the bus who reported the behaviors” of their driver.
“Their attention to detail and prompt actions may have prevented a tragedy from occurring,” said Captain Derek J. Allen.
La Porte Community School Corporation also said it was “incredibly proud of our students, who recognized something was wrong and reported their concerns responsibly.
“Their actions exemplify the ‘see something, say something’ principles we teach in our schools. These students potentially prevented a serious incident through their alertness and responsible decision-making, the corporation said.
“While this incident is deeply troubling, it has reinforced the importance of fostering an environment where students feel empowered to report concerns.”
Pier turned herself into police custody Thursday and was booked into the La Porte County Jail, according to police.
She was released on bond, according to authorities.
