A school bus driver has been charged for transporting 33 students while she was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
At the end of the school day on Friday, 33 children from Crestwood Elementary School entered their bus for a ride back home.
The driver of the vessel, 54-year-old Lesley Ann Harvey, has been employed as a bus operator for 5 years.
As the vehicle traveled along the scheduled route it was reported that Harvey alerted her supervisor that she had struck an object, but it posed no harm to the bus or passengers so she would proceed in taking the kids home.
The school district has a policy wherein drivers must submit to a breathalyzer test if any accidents occur. Harvey was told to halt and park the bus so she could be taken to the local hospital for the required procedure.
When the test was given, Harvey was allegedly recorded as having a blood-alcohol content of .115 on the first blow, with the second reportedly showing .107.
After Harvey reported that she had hit something on the road the school alerted the authorities to inform them of what had taken place. Officers arrived at the scene and found some utility poles that appeared as if they had been disturbed and alleged that it was a result of the accident. They also purported that Harvey was drunk while driving the bus causing her to smack into the poles.
None of the children were injured, and the bus was mostly intact other than a few minor dings.
Harvey was taken into custody and booked into the county detention center where she was given another breath test, and the results were recorded as .12. She is facing charges for her first DUI, failure to report a traffic accident, endangering the welfare of a minor, and leaving the scene of an accident.
If you or someone you love is suspected of DUI, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.