UTICA (WWJ) -- The Utica Community Schools bus driver who crashed into a sign last week while transporting 30 to 40 students is facing drunk driving charges.
Nichole Dillard of Sterling Heights was arraigned Tuesday on 16 counts of operating while intoxicated (OWI) with an occupant under the age of 16.
Each charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail.
Her bond was set at $50,000 and she is currently being held at the Macomb County Jail.
Dillard’s blood-alcohol level was .10% and for a commercial license holder, officials said. The level of legal intoxication is .04%.
The crash happened on the afternoon of Dec. 14 when the bus, carrying students from Henry Ford II High School, went off Hall Road near Schoenherr Road and hit a street sign.
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According to initial reports, there were no injuries to any of the students, but the day after the crash it was discovered that some students sought medical treatment.
The crash caused minor damage to the bus.
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