Bus driver accused of pushing, intimidating students

SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. — Bus driver Colleen Weinstein was arrested following an incident on the bus last week in which she allegedly pushed, shouted at and otherwise intimidated students, Sierra Vista Herald reports.

The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office told the newspaper they believe the incident began when Weinstein pushed a student down the aisle of the bus, shouted at the students and stopped the bus. According to a sheriff’s office statement, the driver allegedly pushed two students down toward a seat during the incident, causing one to fall and hit his head on the window, Sierra Vista Herald reports.

Investigators arrested Weinstein and charged her with 20 counts of disorderly conduct and endangerment for her behavior toward the students and for leaving them unattended on the bus. She was also charged with two counts of threats and intimidation for following students with the bus after they left the bus, and three counts of aggravated assault for touching students in an aggressive manner, according to the newspaper.

Weinstein was terminated from her job with Palominas School District 49, where she had been employed for less than a year, Marylotti Copeland, the district’s superintendent, told Sierra Vista Herald. She added that the district is addressing concerns from parents over the incident and is reviewing the transportation department to prevent future similar incidents.

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