Impaired woman crashes school bus with 25 kids on board



HARTFORD (WITI) -- Hartford officers responded to the 600 block of Cedar St. in Hartford Thursday, May 29th for a report of a school bus vs. parked car accident. The car was unoccupied at the time of the crash.

According to police, an evaluation determined that the bus driver was impaired by a substance other than alcohol, which rendered them unable to operate a motor vehicle safely at the time of the incident.

It is unclear exactly what that substance was.

The school bus was carrying 25 children at the time of the accident. The students attend Central Middle School and Rossman Elementary School -- and were on their way to class.

No injuries were immediately reported at the scene, but some students later complained of soreness.

"The kids were okay. They went to class and the parents were called. We're really happy that the kids are safe," Superintendent Mark Smits said.

The driver, a 68-year-old Hartford woman, was arrested for operating while intoxicated with passengers under the age of 16.

"I do know the individual was admitted to the emergency room and there are some medical concerns with her," Smits said.

The parked vehicle that was struck belongs to Amy Murphy.

"It was just a big 'boom' -- like a big old crash. You knew exactly what had happened. I was more worried about the kids on the bus than I was actually, my car. That can be replaced. That's an object. I am upset for all of the parents of those children that were on the bus. I am feeling so very lucky that I wasn't anywhere near my car," Murphy said.

The 68-year-old bus driver is not an employee of the district -- but a city driver, working at Wittenberger Bus Company.

We're told this incident has been referred to the District Attorney's Office.