LOGANVILLE, Ga. — A school bus driver here was fired on Monday after being accused of driving her bus under the influence with 31 students on board.
A student on the bus that Carole Etheridge was driving captured part of the ride on video and told CBS46 that Etheridge seemed to be driving 60 to 70 miles per hour “and she hit a driveway and we started to wobble.” Several students contacted their parents, who then notified the Walton County School District, according to CBS46.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Etheridge had a large bottle of tequila, small bottles of vodka, and prescription pills in her purse. Etheridge was arrested at Loganville Middle School after taking a field sobriety test, WSB-TV reports.
Etheridge was charged with one count of DUI and 16 counts of endangering a child for each student aboard the bus under the age of 14. Callen Moore, a spokeswoman for the Walton County School District, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that there was a total of 31 students aboard the bus.
Etheridge began driving a bus for Walton County School District in March, and school officials told the newspaper that a background check found no issues. Gwinnett County Public Schools confirmed to WSB-TV that Etheridge had driven for them but was fired in January for “unsatisfactory performance.”
School Bus Driver Charged With DUI
Carole Etheridge of Georgia is arrested and charged with one count of DUI and 16 counts of endangering a child for each student aboard the bus under the age of 14.
More Safety

What’s Behind HopSkipDrive’s Near-Perfect Safety Record in 2025?
The alternative transportation provider’s 2025 Safety Report highlights 99.7% incident-free rides, 130 million safe miles, and more.
Read More →2026 School Bus Fleet Vendor Directory & Buyer's Guide
Searching for the right equipment, technology, or services for your school transportation program? This industry guide brings together manufacturers and suppliers across the entire school bus market, all in one place. Download it to find the partners who can help move your operation forward.
Read More →
Child Safety Network Taps Dr. Michael C. Hout to Combat School Bus Stop-Arm Runners
Child Safety Network appointed psychology researcher Michael C. Hout, Ph.D., to lead a study examining why drivers illegally pass stopped school buses.
Read More →
NTSB Determines Human Error Led to Waymo’s Illegal School Bus Passing
Investigators reported a remote assistance error allowed a Waymo driverless vehicle to illegally pass a stopped school bus in Austin.
Read More →
National Action Plan Aims to End Illegal School Bus Passings Across the U.S.
See how a new 50-state roadmap outlines 69 strategies for districts, law enforcement, and policymakers to reduce the 39 million illegal school bus passings reported each year.
Read More →
11-Year-Old Student Dies After Falling Under School Bus
Recently, an Iowa student died after falling under a school bus, while 14 Oklahoma students were injured days later when a semi-truck rear-ended their bus.
Read More →
7 Key Criteria for Choosing a School Bus Fleet Technology Partner
Selecting a fleet technology partner can be complex, especially with evolving operational demands and limited resources. This white paper outlines seven key criteria to help school transportation leaders evaluate options and align technology with their needs. It offers a practical framework to support more informed decision-making.
Read More →
The Real Cost of Bus Fleet Downtime
When school bus communication systems fail, the consequences extend far beyond equipment repairs. Downtime can increase safety risks, strain dispatch operations, and erode driver confidence. Explore how proactive radio lifecycle management and managed services are reducing disruptions, supporting driver retention, and delivering predictable budgeting for school transportation fleets.
Read More →
EverDriven Launches New Council to Standardize Safety Across 36 States
EverDriven has launched a new safety council aimed at standardizing and strengthening student transportation practices across all states it operates in.
Read More →
Thomas Built Buses Awards “If You Pass” Safety Campaign Funds to Ga. District
The OEM's three-week campaign during National School Bus Safety Week has awarded nearly $6,000 to Bryan County Schools to support increasing student safety around the bus.
Read More →
