A routine afternoon bus run in the Boyertown area turned into a criminal case on Feb. 6 after officers allegedly found empty vodka bottles on the driver while she was transporting elementary school students. Court records identify the driver as 46-year-old Kelly Weber, who had 54 students on her route that day. The stop rattled parents and quickly triggered a criminal investigation.
On March 3, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced that Weber is facing more than 50 counts of child endangerment, along with DUI and reckless endangerment charges. Prosecutors say a post-stop blood draw showed a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.331 and that she also tested positive for THC. A warrant has been issued, and authorities are arranging for Weber to turn herself in and be arraigned, according to CBS Philadelphia.
How the stop unfolded
According to court papers, Douglass Township police were called after reports that a school bus was driving erratically near the intersection of Jackson Road and Third Avenue. Officers arrived to find the bus stopped in a snowbank.
Investigators say they found two small empty vodka bottles on Weber, along with a larger open bottle of vodka in her purse and a liquor-store receipt showing alcohol purchases that morning. Several students texted their parents during the ride, saying they were frightened by what was happening on the bus.
The Boyertown Area School District said students were moved to another bus to finish their trip home and is offering counseling to families while the investigation continues, as reported by NBC10 Philadelphia.
Charges and next steps
The District Attorney's filing lists DUI charges, reckless endangerment and dozens of child-endangerment counts tied to the Feb. 6 run. Court documents state that Weber was transporting 54 students that afternoon, including five children under the age of 6.
Some parents told authorities their children described the bus as swerving and said the driver at times appeared to close her eyes. Officials say Weber entered rehab immediately after the incident. A warrant for her arrest has been issued while arrangements are made for her surrender and arraignment, per CBS Philadelphia.
District and company response
Quigley Bus Service, which handles transportation for the Boyertown Area School District, has placed Weber on unpaid leave and is cooperating with investigators while it reviews its safety and testing procedures. The district has said Weber will not operate any routes for its schools and that counselors and administrators are available to support students who need it.
NBC10 Philadelphia reported that Quigley plans to increase the frequency of drug and alcohol screenings for its drivers as it evaluates its current protocols.
