Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 2, 1995 TAG: 9506020120
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM AND MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The driver of a school bus filled with students from Blacksburg Middle School was charged with drunken driving Thursday afternoon after crashing into the rear of another bus leaving the school.
No one was injured in the accident.
Patricia Hall Wilson, 39, of North Fork Road in Elliston, has been charged by Blacksburg police with driving under the influence, transporting an alcoholic beverage on a school bus and possession of an alcoholic beverage on school grounds.
``Right now, this woman no longer works for Montgomery County schools,'' said Larry Schoff, transportation and maintenance supervisor for the school system.
The accident occurred about 3 p.m. when bus driver Patricia Jean Songer stopped in traffic and her bus was hit from behind by Wilson's bus, Officer C.S. Jones said. Both drivers had just picked up loads of middle-school students.
Even though the accident was minor - a total of $800 damage to both buses - police had to file a report because state vehicles were involved.
Jones said that while he was interviewing Wilson about the accident, he noticed an odor of alcohol. He said Wilson performed sobriety tests and was charged on the scene. She also was given a Breathalyzer test at the Blacksburg police station.
Jones said he later found an unopened beer on the bus and another in Wilson's purse, which was inside Blacksburg Middle School.
This was Wilson's first route of the day, according to Schoff. He thinks the route went through the Merrimac section of the county. Some Blacksburg High School students were on the bus, Schoff said, but they had been brought to the middle school on another bus.
Schoff said he doesn't know Wilson. Thursday was the first day on the job for Wilson's immediate supervisor, Jerry Mabry.
According to Jones, Wilson has been driving for the school system for several years.
Little other information was available on Wilson.
``What I do know is that she didn't get anywhere with the kids,'' said John Martin, assistant superintendent for the school system. ``The only time she had kids on the bus [Thursday] was on Blacksburg Middle School grounds.''
Martin said the accident still was unfortunate.
``Bus drivers are probably [some] of the most reliable people you work with, because they take their job seriously,'' he said. ``In fact, I hate this kind of stuff, because when it happens, it puts a blemish on the other drivers.''
Wilson was held in Montgomery County Jail on Thursday night in lieu of $3,000 bond. She is to be arraigned Monday.
by CNB