Per NBC News, a school bus driver in Illinois has been arrested after she was reportedly spotted drinking beer while picking up elementary school children.

44-year-old Michelle Passley was charged on Monday with two counts of endangering the life and health of a child after she was caught on video drinking two beers as she drove 32 children to school on the 15th November,  according to police in Aurora.

While no students were harmed, Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman stated during a news conference that "it's infuriating to believe that someone who is trusted with these children on a daily basis could potentially put them in this kind of danger."

Ziman went onto say that authorities are not clear whether Passley was intoxicated while driving because police were not alerted until after her shift had ended.

An "observant" convenience store staff member purportedly called East Aurora School District 131 to notify them that a woman had come in, bought two beers, and then got into the driver's seat of a school bus.

32 children in total were seen on the bus while Passley drank from two cans of beer, according to law enforcement.
Administrators for East Aurora School District 131 quickly contacted First Student Bus company, who have since issued a statement asserting that "There is nothing more important than the safety of the students we transport."

"We understand and share in the concern this incident has caused. We are incredibly disappointed by our former driver’s actions. First Student has a zero-tolerance policy for employees whose actions may put others at risk," the statement continued, detailing that they are cooperating with the police investigation.

Passley has since been fired, and the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office is now reviewing her commercial driver’s license.

She has been released on a $100 bond, and is purportedly due in court on the 27th of December.

Per NBC News, a school bus driver in Illinois has been arrested after she was reportedly spotted drinking beer while picking up elementary school children.

44-year-old Michelle Passley was charged on Monday with two counts of endangering the life and health of a child after she was caught on video drinking two beers as she drove 32 children to school on the 15th November,  according to police in Aurora.

While no students were harmed, Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman stated during a news conference that "it's infuriating to believe that someone who is trusted with these children on a daily basis could potentially put them in this kind of danger."

Ziman went onto say that authorities are not clear whether Passley was intoxicated while driving because police were not alerted until after her shift had ended.

An "observant" convenience store staff member purportedly called East Aurora School District 131 to notify them that a woman had come in, bought two beers, and then got into the driver's seat of a school bus.

32 children in total were seen on the bus while Passley drank from two cans of beer, according to law enforcement.
Administrators for East Aurora School District 131 quickly contacted First Student Bus company, who have since issued a statement asserting that "There is nothing more important than the safety of the students we transport."

"We understand and share in the concern this incident has caused. We are incredibly disappointed by our former driver’s actions. First Student has a zero-tolerance policy for employees whose actions may put others at risk," the statement continued, detailing that they are cooperating with the police investigation.

Passley has since been fired, and the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office is now reviewing her commercial driver’s license.

She has been released on a $100 bond, and is purportedly due in court on the 27th of December.