Bus driver faces charges of DWI, endangerment
WEST ALMOND—An Allegany County school bus driver taking more than a dozen pupils ages 5 to 15 in her bus Friday was charged with driving while intoxicated, state police reported Monday.
Martha A. Thompson, 55, of Almond, was allegedly operating the school bus on South Road in the Town of West Almond while she was intoxicated.
Troopers reported that some of the pupils observed Thompson driving erratically. When the bus stopped on South Road, some of the older pupils opened the back emergency door and exited the bus, troopers said. A witness nearby called police, and the bus was stopped by Alfred police.
Thompson was taken into custody, submitted to a blood-alcohol screening and was turned over to state police.
Besides DWI, she also was charged with 15 counts each of endangering the welfare of a child and reckless endangerment.
Troopers said some of the students were picked up at the scene by their parents. Others were taken home by another school bus.
Thompson was released on her own recognizance pending future court action.
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