DOUGLASS TWP., Pa. — A Boyertown Area School District bus driver is facing serious criminal charges after police say she was heavily intoxicated while transporting dozens of students earlier this month in Montgomery County.
According to court documents and police reports, the incident happened on February 6, 2026, when officers were dispatched to the area of Jackson Road and Third Avenue in Gilbertsville following reports of a school bus driving erratically.
54 Students on Board, Including Young Children
Police say the bus was carrying 54 students at the time, including five children under the age of 6, when officers conducted a traffic stop. Investigators identified the driver as Kelly Weber.
Officers reported observing signs of impairment during the stop. According to the affidavit:
- Weber allegedly failed multiple field sobriety tests.
- A portable breath test showed a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.292, more than three times Pennsylvania’s legal limit of 0.08.
- Police reportedly discovered open and empty vodka bottles inside the bus.
Authorities said the high BAC level indicated severe impairment that posed a significant danger to the students on board and others on the roadway.
Students Noticed Erratic Driving
Students themselves reportedly noticed unusual and concerning behavior from the driver.
One student said the bus was swerving and that the driver appeared agitated and was yelling at children prior to the stop. Family members later expressed concern about the safety of students and called for stricter screening and testing of bus drivers.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and police safely removed the students from the bus.
Charges Filed, Driver Removed From Duty
Weber now faces multiple charges, including:
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
- Endangering the Welfare of Children
- Reckless Driving and related offenses
Officials say she was immediately removed from service.
Bus Company and School District Respond
Quigley Bus Service, which provides transportation for the Boyertown Area School District, issued a letter to families describing the driver’s alleged actions as “unacceptable and unforgivable.”
The company confirmed:
- Weber was immediately placed on unpaid leave
- She is no longer operating school bus routes
- She had previously passed all required background checks, motor vehicle record reviews, and drug and alcohol testing
In response to the incident, Quigley Bus Service announced it is increasing the frequency of drug and alcohol testing beyond federal and state requirements.
Investigation Ongoing
Police say the investigation remains active. Additional court proceedings are expected as the case moves through the Montgomery County judicial system.
Officials emphasized that student safety remains the top priority and that safeguards are being reviewed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
