Driving a school bus is hard work, and there is a shortage of drivers around the country. Unfortunately, many drivers are using a substance which impairs their performance. They might use drugs or alcohol to deal with stress, or they could even take something as inoffensive as cold medication which nonetheless ends up impairing them.
In 2015, a bus driver for Leander Independent School District was actually stopped for drunk driving. The driver had about two dozen students on the bus at the time and hit mailboxes and trees on Quinlan Park Road. Witnesses called 911, and officers pulled the 60-year-old driver over with children still on the bus. Children even apparently called their parents using cell phones to report their driver’s erratic behavior.
The driver apparently admitted to taking a Xanax, which is used to treat anxiety or panic disorders. Like many medications, however, it has serious side effects and can render a person unable to drive safely.
DWI Charges for Driving Children
Any school bus driver stopped for DWI could face enhanced DWI charges if there are children under the age of 15 on the bus. Under Section 49.045 of the Texas Penal Code, a DWI with a child passenger is a state jail felony.
If convicted, you could spend six months to two years in state jail, pay a fine up to $10,000, and end up losing your license. This is more serious than a DWI with no child passenger, which is typically a Class B misdemeanor.
If any of the children are injured while driving, then a bus driver could face intoxication assault charges. This is a third-degree felony in Texas, with a possible 10-year criminal sentence.
A driver can also kiss their job goodbye. No district will employ someone who is stopped for DWI with children on the bus. Getting any type of bus driving job will be a challenge.
Other Criminal Charges
Driving a bus with children can also lead to additional charges, such as Child Endangerment, which is prosecuted under the Texas Penal Code § 22.041. This is a state jail felony offense for anyone who recklessly or with criminal negligence places a child in danger of injury or death. The law applies even if you are not related to the child.
The state often gears up to throw the book at defendants charged with hurting children. You need someone who can defend you against all charges, not simply the DWI.
Fight to Keep Your Job and Your Good Name
Call Houston DWI Lawyer Tad A. Nelson for Help!
At The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, our Houston DWI defense lawyer fights for clients who are facing drunk driving charges. Our firm has broad experience with all types of DWI cases, including drugged driving and child endangerment cases. We have also helped those with Commercial Driver’s Licenses fight to maintain their ability to work.
Call our law firm today. You can schedule a free consultation with a lawyer to discuss the circumstances surrounding your arrest in a confidential setting.
