A Massachusetts school bus driver allegedly drove under the influence with dozens of students on board Thursday afternoon. Police received a call
A Massachusetts school bus driver allegedly drove under the influence with dozens of students on board Thursday afternoon.
Police received a call about an unsteady bus on Route 3 northbound, south of Exit 27, in Pembroke at roughly 6 p.m.
The bus was finally pulled over in front of a Friendly’s restaurant on Route 139. There it was discovered that there were approximately 40 students in the vehicle.
No details have been provided about who made the 911 call.
The bus driver has been identified as Bethann Sweeney, of Hanover.
When Sweeney was ordered to step off the bus, she was unsteady on her feet and reeked of alcohol.
She was arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol after failing the field sobriety tests.
While searching for her belongings, the police found a 23.7 ounce water bottle that was half filled and smelled of alcohol.
The students on the bus consisted of 28 passengers from the age of 14 to 20 as well as two adult supervisors.
The passengers were picked up at Plymouth North high school where they had attended the Hingham United Basketball Special Olympics closing ceremony.
According to the adult passengers, Sweeney was reportedly swerving across the road and tried to get on Route three South, which was the wrong direction, and successfully attempted to get on Route three North by swerving, driving over rumble strips, and running a red light.
There have been no injuries and all students were transported home safely. Sweeney was held overnight on a $2,540 cash bill and is pleading not guilty at her arraignment on Friday in Plymouth District Court.
Her charges include operating under the influence of liquor, child endangerment, while operating under the influence, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and reckless endangerment of a child.
