Toxicology results indicate school bus driver in May crash in Hartford was impaired

HARTFORD (WITI) -- Hartford police say toxicology results are back following a crash involving a school bus and vehicle from late May.

Police on the morning of May 29th responded to the 600 block of Cedar Street in Hartford for a report of a school bus that had struck a parked car. The car was unoccupied at the time of the crash, but 25 children were on board the bus.

The children were on their way to Central Middle School and Rossman Elementary School.

No injuries were immediately reported, but later, some of the students complained of soreness.

Following the crash, an initial investigation determined the bus driver was impaired by a substance other than alcohol. That driver, a 68-year-old Hartford woman, was arrested for OWI with passengers under the age of 16.

Now, toxicology results are back on the bus driver, and toxicology testing has shown prescription medications were present in the driver's blood sample, and the levels detected were consistent with the substantial impairment that was observed by the arresting officer on the day of the crash, according to Hartford police.

Charges of OWI have now been forwarded to the Washington County District Attorney's Office for review and potential prosecution.

The bus driver worked for the Wittenberger Bus Company.

Related stories: