Drunk Driver Causes School Bus to Overturn, Injuring Students

WITTENBURG, N.C. — A motorist who on Monday allegedly crashed into a school bus and caused it to overturn, injuring more than a dozen students aboard, is facing charges, police said.

At about 7:30 a.m., a West Alexander Middle School bus with 19 students aboard on the way to school overturned, according to posts on Alexander County Schools’ Facebook page. Thirteen students and the bus driver were transported to area hospitals. The district also said in the posts that a second vehicle was involved in the accident.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, a drunk driver, Kimberly Ann Austin, crossed the center line on the roadway and ran the bus off the road, The State reports. She has been charged with driving while impaired and driving left of center.

A news release from the Highway Patrol added that the students were able to exit or be removed from the bus through the emergency exit door, according to The State.

A photo of the bus can be viewed in an NCFireFighters tweet below.

Bethlehem,NC**MVA**
photo credit>@FahertyWSOC9
Alexander County #FireinNC pic.twitter.com/kJ0lR3ujVB

— NCFireFighters (@ncfirefighters) December 17, 2018