A New York school bus driver has been arrested after getting drunk and taking kids - some as young as five - to McDonald's, the New York Post reports.

According to the publication, Lashonda Griffin, 29, was arrested at the Gates Chili School District’s bus depot on Friday, October 16.

After dropping the students off at school, she reportedly passed out with a blood alcohol content that was higher than the legal limit.

Per Syracuse.com, there were six students between the ages of five and 16 years old on the bus while on the way to Northstar Christian Academy in Rochester that morning.

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According to one of the students, Griffin told them, "We’re going to stop at McDonald’s quick, don’t tell nobody."

She then allegedly brought at least two of the kids with her to McDonald's to get some breakfast.

"To be honest, I was a little bit confused by it," an exchange student, Tu Tran, told WROC.

According to police, none of the students were on the bus when the 29-year-old was found incapacitated behind the wheel, before later failing a sobriety test.

"We were definitely very lucky in this situation that all of the children were delivered to school from home safely and that the driver had returned back to the bus garage," Gates Police Lt. Robert Long told Syracuse.com.

In a separate case, this school bus driver was caught drinking on camera while driving 32 children to school:

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Long also said that Griffin faces several counts of DWI and child endangerment. After being issued an appearance ticket, she was released.

School authorities say Griffin has been working with the district on a probationary period and they’re "taking time to review safety protocols with all drivers."

In a statement, school officials said:

"The safety of students and employees is the district’s top priority, and we are very grateful that no one was harmed as a result of this individual’s actions.

"We are very sorry that these students and families in this community have been impacted by the unfathomable actions of one person."

"While the district cannot comment directly on personnel matters, we can say that this is an egregious violation of our policies and practices and will never be tolerated," officials added.

A 15-year veteran school bus driver in New York dismissed from her job after consuming an alcoholic beverage while on duty will not face charges, police say.

Amal Hanna, a 60-year-old bus driver, was caught drinking a White Claw alcoholic seltzer while driving students home from Smithtown High School West.

Speaking emotionally to News 12 Long Island, Hanna explained that the incident - which occurred on October 4 - came about when she mistakenly grabbed the alcoholic drink from the refrigerator she shares with her roommate. She added that it was a "mistake" and that she believed she was drinking regular fruit-flavored seltzer.

Currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments, which she says affects her sense of taste, Hanna says she couldn't discern the alcohol in the beverage. She also said that her center treatment has led to her living a teetotal lifestyle, and that she would never have purposely drank alcohol.

Nevertheless, as soon as the White Claw was spotted in her cup holder, she was promptly removed from her route. Thankfully, no students were harmed.

A devastated Hanna, who's been a reliable bus driver for over 15 years, questioned: "For people like me that don’t drink, how are they going to know this is alcohol?" The unfortunate mix-up has left her with concerns about her future, including fears of how she will cover her medical costs.

"I have been crying and crying, I don't even have any more tears. It was just a mistake, it was a mistake," an emotional Hanna told News 12.

Smithtown School District Superintendent Mark Secaur quickly addressed concerned families, and confirmed in a statement, that after receiving a report about the bus driver's actions, a different driver completed the route. Secaur reiterated the district’s "zero tolerance for this behavior."

WE Transport Inc., Hanna’s former employer, emphasized to News 12 and The New York Post that such behavior is "completely unacceptable", reiterating that Hanna was immediately taken off duty.

While WE Transport Inc. remained silent when approached by PEOPLE for further comments, a distressed Hanna told the outlet how much she's "suffering" due to this unfortunate situation. But in a silver lining, the Suffolk County Police Department informed PEOPLE that Hanna wouldn't face any charges following this mix-up, believing Hanna's excuse to be genuine.

However, the story doesn't end there. The community and internet have since rallied around the former driver, raising significant funds to support her during these challenging times.

A compassionate parent has launched a GoFundMe campaign, emphasizing that Hanna needs both emotional and financial backing. Describing her as a kind-hearted woman who was like a grandmother to the students, the organizer shed light on Hanna's challenging circumstances, including her ongoing chemotherapy.

The response? Overwhelming support. As of the latest update, the fundraiser had amassed more than $37,000 for Hanna.

And in the comments section, Hanna has been flooded with praise, with one person writing: "The tragedy and lack of empathy from an employer that is designed for public service is appalling. I hope this small donation can make your fight against cancer worth it."

"I hope this allows you the time you need to heal and get better. Sending lots of positive vibes your way," a second wrote.

And a third donator commented: "I hope this helps you be able to stay home and rest. I am sorry you were treated this way. Blessing to you Amal."

This incident serves as a testament to the strength of community support, turning a misstep into an opportunity for unity and compassion. And although Hanna's career has faced an unforeseen roadblock, the love and backing she's receiving from the community will hopefully be enough to get her back on track.

Featured image credit: Jean-Marie ROUS Photography/ Getty

Nearly $10,000 has been raised for a former Long Island bus driver who lost her job after being caught driving students while drinking White Claw.

As previously reported, 60-year-old Amal Hanna - who had been a school bus driver for the past 15 years - was let go from her position after she was caught drinking an alcoholic beverage while driving students home from Smithtown High School West.

However, in an emotional interview with News 12 Long Island, the devastated former driver revealed that she was unaware that she was drinking an alcoholic White Claw hard seltzer, and believed it was just an ordinary fruit-flavored seltzer.

She also said that due to her chemotherapy, she has been left unable to taste - and couldn't detect any alcohol in the beverage.

Additionally, she says her treatment has also influenced her teetotal lifestyle.

Pointing out the small warning of alcohol content on the White Claw can, Hanna said: "For people like me that don’t drink — how are they going to know this is alcohol?"

"I have been crying and crying, I don't even have any more tears. It was just a mistake, it was a mistake," an emotional Hanna told News 12.

Nevertheless, Hanna has been terminated from her role at WE Transport Inc - a Long Island-based school bus company - despite her sincere explanation. A company spokesperson affirmed to The New York Post: "This alleged conduct is completely unacceptable and the driver has been immediately removed from service."

Mark Secaur, Smithtown Central School District Superintendent, was firm in his stance. While Hanna was "promptly taken from the bus," Secaur reiterated the district’s "zero tolerance for this behavior."

Fearing the repercussions not just for her reputation but also for her livelihood, she also expressed concerns about how she would financially afford her cancer treatments.

Some within the community did rally behind Hanna, with one parent describing the driver as "so sweet" and "kind" to the students, emphasizing: "I can’t imagine she would ever do anything to harm them."

After Hanna's story caught traction on social media and in the headlines, a GoFundMe was launched for her.

The description on the online fundraiser reads: "Miss Hanna has been a beloved bus driver for 15 years. The children on her bus said she was is [the] kindest woman who was like a grandma to them. She is undergoing chemotherapy and made an honest mistake that cost her her job.

"My children were on the bus that day. They knew the circumstances had to be a mistake. Emotionally and financially she needs help. Please take a moment to watch her story and consider helping her to recover in peace."

As of this writing, over $9,000 has been raised.

In another small ray of good news, the Suffolk County Police Department did find Hanna's story credible and opted not to press charges against her.

However, there's more than just money she will miss, as she said: "I go in the morning, so happy, see the kids, say ‘Good morning, how are you,’ give them a big smile." She says she has now lost the "bright spot" in her life.

Featured image credit: News12LI/GoFundMe

A 60-year-old Long Island school bus driver says she unintentionally consumed an alcoholic beverage while driving students home from Smithtown High School West.

Amal Hanna - who had been faithfully driving students for 15 years - found herself in the middle of a media storm after she was fired for drinking on the job.

But in a heartfelt interview with News 12 Long Island, the devastated driver revealed that due to her ongoing chemotherapy for cancer, she has lost her ability to taste whether or not drinks are alcoholic. She says she mistakenly believed she was sipping a regular fruit-flavored seltzer, not a White Claw hard seltzer.

Hanna also says that chemotherapy has also influenced her teetotal lifestyle.

"I have been crying and crying, I don't even have any more tears. It was just a mistake, it was a mistake," an emotional Hanna said, fearing the repercussions not just for her reputation but also for her livelihood amid her cancer treatments.

The chemotherapy has not only robbed Hanna of her sense of taste but now, following the incident, her means of financial support. She further pointed out the barely noticeable warning on the White Claw can, emphasizing the ease with which the mistake happened, saying: "For people like me that don’t drink — how are they going to know this is alcohol?"

Despite Hanna's sincere explanations, she was swiftly terminated from her role at WE Transport Inc - a Long Island-based school bus company. A company spokesperson affirmed to The New York Post: "This alleged conduct is completely unacceptable and the driver has been immediately removed from service."

But there's a silver lining: Suffolk County Police Department, after investigations, found Hanna's story credible and opted not to press charges against her.

However, the loss of her job has left Hanna in dire straits. She said through tears: "I’m frightened I’m going to be on the street because of a mistake."

Beyond the financial implications, Hanna expressed her genuine affection for the students she transported daily, calling it the "bright spot" in her life. She reflected: "I go in the morning, so happy, see the kids, say ‘Good morning, how are you,’ give them a big smile."

The community seems divided. While some parents stand by the school district's decision, one parent described Hanna to News 12 as "so sweet" and "kind" to the students, emphasizing: "I can’t imagine she would ever do anything to harm them."

Mark Secaur, Smithtown Central School District Superintendent, was firm in his stance. While Hanna was "promptly taken from the bus," Secaur reiterated the district’s "zero tolerance for this behavior."

He further assured parents of the district’s unwavering commitment to student safety.

Featured image credit: Credit: Jean-Marie ROUS Photography/ Getty

Joandrea McAtee, from Porter County, Indiana, is facing preliminary felony charges of child neglect after it was discovered she had allowed three students to take the wheel of a school bus. The 27-year-old bus driver was caught on camera in a now-viral video, allowing students from Boone Grove High School aged 11, 13, and 17 to drive for short distances in the rural area of Valparaiso.

The Porter County Sheriff's Office confirmed that a parent had contacted a resource officer from the school last Thursday, after hearing that McAtee had allegedly let students take turns learning to drive on her afternoon route.

Since this was confirmed, she has been fired by the company that runs the buses, arrested and charged with child neglect. First Student Inc. said in a statement:

"We are incredibly disappointed by the actions of our former driver. There is nothing more important to us than the safety of the students we transport. Behavior such as this is completely unacceptable and totally at odds with what we stand for as a company. The driver was terminated.

"We have a zero-tolerance policy for employees whose actions may harm or put others at risk."

“Okay, okay. First, what you got to do is put your foot on the brake," McAtee can be heard saying in one video posted to Twitter, while at another she can be heard saying, “It’s all good, I’m letting her stop at Michael’s stop".

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The school district has also put out a statement about the matter at hand. "The Porter Township School Corporation is angered and disappointed in the actions of this driver," the statement read. "The safety of our students is a top priority. This individual's actions are not reflective of the hard work, dedication, and professionalism of our staff."