In Toledo, Ohio, Carleen Harris, a school bus driver, has pleaded not guilty to 18 charges related to an incident where she allegedly operated a school bus while intoxicated. The charges include 15 counts of endangering children, one count of operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) with a blood alcohol concentration between .08 and .17, and a minor misdemeanor for a traffic violation.

Incident Details

The charges stem from an event on April 20 in west Toledo. Police responded to a call at the intersection of Douglas Road and Pelham Road at approximately 7:30 a.m., where they found Harris, initially believed to be ill. She was transported to a hospital where it was later determined she was intoxicated. The bus was reportedly full of students at the time, but no injuries were reported.

Legal Proceedings

Harris appeared in Toledo Municipal Court and was released on her own recognizance with electronic monitoring. She has been ordered to avoid contact with the victims involved. The investigation is ongoing, and the Toledo Police Department has informed Trinity Transportation, the company contracted by Toledo Public Schools to provide student transportation, about the incident.

Community Impact

This case highlights the importance of safety in student transportation and the responsibilities of those entrusted with the care of children. Toledo Public Schools, which is required by Ohio law to provide transportation for students attending local parochial and charter schools, relies on contractors like Trinity Transport Services to fulfill this obligation.

Original reporting: WTOL Toledo — read the source article.