Montgomery County, Pa. — A school bus driver has been arrested after a Feb. 6 incident that left a bus stuck in a snowbank and frightened dozens of elementary students, authorities said.
What happened
Police identified the driver as Kelly Weber, 46, of Boyertown. The Quigley Bus Service vehicle was carrying 54 elementary‑aged children when multiple callers reported it weaving and nearly striking other cars. Responding officers found the bus stopped in a snowbank near Second Avenue and Gilbert Road at about 4 p.m.
What investigators found
Officers reported discovering an open 750 ml bottle of Tito’s vodka, two empty 50 ml bottles and a Fine Wine & Good Spirits receipt timestamped 9:22 a.m. aboard the bus and on the driver. Weber consented to a blood draw at the scene; lab results from National Medical Service Labs showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.331% — more than four times Pennsylvania’s legal limit of 0.08% — and detectable levels of Delta‑9 Carboxy THC.
Evidence and timeline
Police seized the bottles and receipt as evidence and said investigators will reconstruct a timeline using the receipt time alongside bus telemetry, GPS, surveillance video, witness statements, vehicle logs and phone and 911 records. Those sources can help establish speed, braking, lane changes and exact timing of events, which prosecutors say will shape further charging decisions.
Charges and immediate aftermath
An arrest warrant charges Weber with driving under the influence and includes multiple counts related to passenger safety: 54 counts of endangering the welfare of children, 54 counts of reckless endangerment and several summary offenses. County records show five of the students were younger than six. Several children texted or called parents during the route because they were scared; one child got off at an earlier stop and was picked up by family members.
According to authorities, Weber entered a rehabilitation facility after the incident; officials are arranging for her to surrender for arraignment, where bail will be set.
Community and institutional response
School district officials acknowledged the incident and said they will conduct a full safety review but declined to comment further while law enforcement continues its investigation. Quigley Bus Service also declined immediate comment. Parents and local leaders have reacted with shock and alarm; several parent groups are pressing for details about how drivers are vetted and trained. City and school officials plan a meeting with stakeholders to discuss steps to rebuild trust and improve safety.
Policy questions raised
The episode has renewed calls for stronger safeguards on school transportation. Proposals under discussion include mandated pre‑route or random alcohol testing for drivers, wider use of in‑vehicle cameras and time‑synced GPS telematics, alcohol interlock devices for commercial drivers, stricter vetting and ongoing training for contracted drivers, and clearer contractual obligations for bus companies regarding data retention and investigator access.
This investigation remains active as authorities piece together the full sequence of events and officials weigh policy changes intended to prevent a similar incident from happening again.