Norris bus driver accused of transporting students while intoxicated

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A bus driver for Norris Public Schools was arrested Wednesday after transporting students while intoxicated, the sheriff’s office says.

Around 3:30 p.m., a Lancaster County deputy who serves as a school resource officer received a report of a possibly drunken bus driver, 67-year-old Betty Johnson.

Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said the deputy spoke with Johnson, who at the time was “highly intoxicated.”

She failed a preliminary breath test and was taken to jail, where she was found to have a 0.22% blood alcohol content level, almost three times over the legal limit.

Houchin said Johnson drank before going on her noon bus route, where she drops off three students and picks up six.

Johnson was caught before going on the after-school route.

“I’m sure the parents of these children are very concerned,” Houchin said. “We’re very lucky she got caught and was not allowed to do that after-school one.”

Johnson was arrested on suspicion of felony child abuse and DUI.

In a statement, Norris Superintendent Derrick Joel said, “The driver was terminated and will not a drive for our school district ever again.”

Houchin said he’s happy no children were hurt because it could have had a tragic outcome.

“I’ve been doing this job for 32 years now,” he said. “I’ve never heard of a school bus driver being intoxicated, let alone this high.”