LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. – A former Northwest Indiana college bus driver is going through felony expenses after being accused of driving underneath the affect with 32 college students onboard, authorities stated.
Kayla Pier, 38, of Michigan Metropolis, is charged with working whereas intoxicated and neglect of a dependent, each Degree 6 felonies, following a months-long investigation, in keeping with the La Porte County Sheriff’s Workplace.
Pictured is Kayla Pier, of Michigan Metropolis.
Pier was employed as a college bus driver for the La Porte Neighborhood College Company when the incident occurred on Sept. 20.
Her duties included driving a bus route from La Porte Center College to Riley Elementary College. College students who have been onboard the bus made studies to high school officers about Pier’s driving behaviors and mannerisms, the sheriff’s workplace stated.
The district’s transportation director intercepted Pier’s bus at Riley Elementary College, eliminated her from responsibility, and she or he resigned from the varsity company later that day, authorities stated.
Greater than a month later, on Oct. 21, LPCSC Superintendent Sandra Wooden knowledgeable Administrative Captain Derek Allen that the varsity company had obtained a toxicology report from Pier’s Sept. 20 take a look at.
The findings prompted an investigation led by Deputy Brian Crail, who collected witness statements, video footage from the bus, cellphone recordings, and interviews.
On Dec. 19, Crail submitted a possible trigger affidavit to Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Autumn Ferch. The subsequent day, a La Porte Circuit Courtroom decide issued an arrest warrant for Pier.
Pier surrendered to authorities on Dec. 27, was booked into the La Porte County Jail, and later launched after posting bond, authorities stated.