Apparently, this school bus driver had no regard for her precious cargo. Kayla Pier was charged with DUI following an incident involving erratic bus driving. The incident occurred while 32 children were traveling between schools. Students’ quick actions averted a potential tragedy.
Incident in La Porte
Kayla Pier caused an alarm among young passengers on September 20 while driving between La Porte Middle School and Riley Elementary School. Her erratic driving sparked concern among students, who promptly informed authorities. This timely communication from the children was critical in preventing potential harm, prompting the school’s transportation staff to stop the bus and remove Peer from duty.
According to reports, 32 children were involved, with some being severely disrupted by the terrifying experience. They raised their concerns with school officials, resulting in Pier’s immediate suspension and subsequent resignation on the day of the incident. The school’s transportation director played a pivotal role in intercepting the bus, potentially preventing any unfortunate incidents.
Kayla Pier, 38, school bus driver for the LaPorte Community School Corporation, has been arrested and charged after she was accused of driving intoxicated while 32 students were aboard in September.
Indiana pic.twitter.com/vLZdts29sI
— Orietta Rose 🇺🇲 (@0riettaRose) December 30, 2024
The Investigation Unfolds
The investigation into Kayla Pier’s actions commenced after school officials provided compelling evidence, including toxicology reports and video footage from the school bus cameras. This supported Pier’s charges of driving under the influence and failing to comply with dependent charges. Initially, the criminal investigation took over a month to begin. During this period, the evidence was meticulously gathered and analyzed to build a concrete case.
The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office took extensive steps to recognize and applaud the students for their courageous actions. The La Porte Community School Corporation also expressed gratitude and pride, praising the students’ maturity and responsibility in the face of a potentially dangerous situation.
‼️KAYLA PIER A SCHOOL BUS DRIVER ARRESTED FOR DRUNK DRIVING WITH 32 STUDENTS ONBOARD WAS ALLOWED TO RESIGN 😱 pic.twitter.com/NecMpX6h23
— i Expose Racists & Pedos (@SeeRacists) December 30, 2024
Legal Consequences and Public Response
Facing serious charges, Kayla Pier later turned herself in to the police and was released on bond. The legal proceedings are expected to address the DUI charges and neglect accusations thoroughly. These developments have sparked a conversation within the La Porte community regarding safety on school buses and the importance of vigilance by all parties involved, including students and school staff.
School officials emphasized their commitment to collaborating with local law enforcement to ensure incidents of this nature are handled with the utmost seriousness. The general public has also been encouraged to be vigilant and proactive in unexpected situations, emphasizing that every individual can play an important role in ensuring public safety.
Sources:
- More details on bus driver taking local kids on field trip arrested for OWI
- Indiana school bus driver charged with operating while intoxicated: Sheriff
