Editor’s note, Jan. 4, 2023: The Marion County prosecutors told KOIN 6 News the district attorney’s office “no actioned” — or declined to file charges — in the case “for insufficient evidence for proof beyond a reasonable doubt.” The story has been updated to remove the bus driver’s name.
Editor’s note, Sept. 23, 2022: Salem police initially sent a press release with a different spelling of the accused’s name and then sent a correction within the hour. The story has been updated.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Salem-Keizer school bus driver was arrested for driving under the influence, Salem Police said.
According to SPD, a 42-year-old woman was arrested on Thursday on multiple charges related to driving under the influence.
The Salem Police Traffic Team began investigating on Aug. 9 after receiving a report about the driver operating while under the influence of alcohol.
The report involved the woman driving 15 students on two bus routes that morning. In between the two trips, the driver was also allegedly in a crash when the bus she was driving hit a guard rail.
Court documents obtained by KOIN 6 News said police believed the driver “was highly intoxicated at the time she was driving the school bus and transporting numerous children through the city of Salem.”
The driver was initially charged with 15 counts of reckless endangering, DUII, reckless driving and criminal mischief. However, in January 2023, the Marion County district attorney’s office told KOIN 6 News that prosecutors declined to file charges.
Any people who may have witnessed the driver driving the bus are asked to call the Traffic Team at 503-588-6171.
In a statement to KOIN 6 News, a Salem-Keizer School District spokesperson said, “While we cannot discuss personnel matters, the safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority, and our district is cooperating with local law enforcement as they conduct their investigation. All inquiries about the investigation are to be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.”
KOIN 6 News also learned someone with the same name and address as the suspect has prior charges in California from just four years ago, including public intoxication and permitting an unlicensed minor to drive.
Authorities have not confirmed the driver is the same person as the one with California charges, but we will continue to follow the investigation as it develops.