Published on Feb. 17 | Updated on March 4
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A school bus driver in Boyertown has been charged with driving drunk while elementary school-aged students were on board last month.
The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday charges against 46-year-old Kelly Weber, including DUI and 54 counts of child endangerment.
At 4 p.m. on Feb. 6, police pulled the school bus over along Second Avenue and Gilbert Road. Police had received reports of the bus driving erratically, almost hitting several cars and a telephone pole.
After searching Weber and the bus, officers found three open bottles of vodka. Blood testing showed Weber was nearly four times over the legal limit. Officials said she immediately checked herself into rehab.
Following the incident, Brian Quigley, president of Quigley Bus Service, said in a letter to families that Weber was placed on unpaid leave and "is no longer servicing routes for Quigley Bus Service."
"While we are deeply grateful that no one was injured, we are profoundly saddened and disturbed by the unacceptable actions of the driver," Quigley said.
The bus transported students in the Boyertown Area School District, which straddles Montgomery and Berks counties. Investigators said 54 children were on the bus driven by Weber that day — five of them under the age of 6.
"All students who were on board when the driver stopped were transferred to another bus, and all students arrived home safely," added Boyertown Superintendent Scott Davidheiser.
Quigley said the bus company is conducting an internal investigation and cooperating with the school district and local law enforcement. According to the bus service, Weber passed rigorous background checks prior to employment, including drug and alcohol testing, criminal screenings, and motor vehicle records reviews.
"All drivers complete comprehensive vehicle training and are required to participate in a student safety program," he added.
Responding to a district request, Quigley said the company will randomly test drivers for drugs and alcohol more frequently. The district is also seeking an external audit to assess whether Quigley's practices are up to industry standards.
