Joint Statement Issued on School Bus Driver Alcohol Investigation
Worcester County officials have released a joint statement regarding an investigation into a school bus driver accused of consuming alcohol before transporting students on April 24th. Investigators determined the driver consumed two alcoholic beverages before driving one student route, but prosecutors declined to file charges, citing insufficient admissible evidence after delays in reporting and problems with the breath-testing process. Authorities found no evidence of impaired driving in bus video footage or GPS data. The Worcester County Board of Education and school superintendent condemned the driver’s actions and acknowledged shortcomings in how the incident was handled, stating that corrective actions have been taken and additional safety and reporting measures are being implemented. The Board of Education and Superintendent add that they remain committed to accountability, continuous improvement, and ensuring that every student is transported in a safe and secure manner each day. See the full joint statement below…
Additional Information from the Office of the State’s Attorney for Worcester County, Maryland
JOINT STATEMENT REGARDING INVESTIGATION OF SCHOOL BUS DRIVER FOR ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
State’s Attorney Heiser, Sheriff Crisafulli, Superintendent Wallace and the members of the Board of Education recognize the right of the public to transparency and accountability from their elected leaders, particularly on matters involving the safety of children at school. Recent allegations of alcohol consumption by a school bus driver prior to transporting students have been made public and it is therefore appropriate to further update the community as to the actions that each of our agencies has taken as a result of those allegations. Our goals in providing this information are to answer any outstanding questions, eliminate confusion and ongoing concern, and confirm to our community that we are working together to improve student safety and prevent future harm.
FACTS
On April 25, 2026, Worcester County Public Schools reported to law enforcement that a school bus driver had consumed alcohol prior to transporting students from Showell Elementary School and Berlin Intermediate School on April 24, 2026. In response, the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation conducted a thorough investigation of all relevant facts and obtained all evidence still available. The Worcester County Board of Education, Superintendent Annette Wallace, and school officials fully cooperated with law enforcement’s investigation and provided written statements, bus schedules, in-bus video camera footage and GPS tracking information and breath test results, which had been collected by school officials the previous day. Investigators obtained surveillance video footage from the Ocean Downs Casino, which revealed that the bus driver had consumed 2 alcoholic beverages over an approximate 90-minute time period beginning around 10:30 am. The bus driver’s wife also consumed alcoholic beverages prior to performing her duties as a bus aide on her husband’s bus. A witness observed the alcohol consumption and notified the Worcester County Public Schools bus driver-trainer who drove to Showell Elementary School to assess the bus driver. This notification however came after the bus driver had already transported students from Berlin Intermediate School but before he was scheduled to transport students from Showell Elementary School. After meeting with and assessing the bus driver, the bus driver-trainer decided that the bus driver was not under the
influence of alcohol and following consultation with a school system administrator and her direct supervisor, allowed him to complete transporting Showell Elementary School students home. The school system administrator then required the bus driver to undergo a breath test for the presence of alcohol which was conducted by a Department of Transportation contractor in Salisbury consistent with Federal law, applicable Maryland regulations, and Board policy pertaining to school bus drivers. This breath test resulted in two blood alcohol content readings, the first being .08 and the second being .089; however, detectives determined that, at the time of the bus driver’s breath test, the instrument was calibrated with equipment that had been expired since September of 2025. They also learned that the testing contractor had swabbed the bus driver’s cheek prior to conducting the breath test, which scientifically invalidates the results of the test and further renders the result unreliable and inadmissible in any criminal prosecution. A review of the in-bus video footage did not suggest any evidence of impairment and the GPS tracking information confirmed that the school bus was driven in compliance with all traffic laws and speed limits throughout the duration of the 2 bus routes.
LAW ENFORCEMENT’S RESPONSE
Sheriff Crisafulli stated, “It is clear that our investigative efforts were hindered by the failure of certain school employees to timely report these allegations to law enforcement, which prevented the collection of evidence. Due to the delay in reporting, detectives were deprived of the opportunity to conduct a standard on-scene investigation, which would have included standardized field sobriety tests, a preliminary breath test and either a breath or blood test for the presence of alcohol. Similarly, detectives were unable to interview witnesses on scene or obtain statements from the bus driver or his wife. Notwithstanding those facts, I am glad to report that the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation conducted a thorough investigation of all relevant facts and obtained all evidence still available, and we continue to partner with the Worcester County Public Schools to ensure reliable reporting moving forward.”
State’s Attorney Heiser personally reviewed the investigation and ultimately declined prosecution of the matter, stating “based on my review of the admissible evidence collected by investigators after the delayed report, it is clear that the State lacks sufficient evidence to prove any traffic or criminal offenses beyond a reasonable doubt, and therefore the Office of the State’s Attorney for Worcester County will not bring charges.” Heiser added, “We are hopeful that this case will serve as a reminder to the Worcester County Public Schools and all school employees to promptly report any potentially criminal behavior to law enforcement so that it can be immediately investigated and successfully prosecuted. Any delay in reporting can and does cause complications in recovery of evidence, discrepancies in testing and an inability to follow standard investigative procedures and protocols which, combined, are all necessary to ensuring offenders are held accountable for their actions, especially when those actions have the significant potential to harm children.”
WORCESTER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ RESPONSE
The Worcester County Board of Education and Superintendent Annette Wallace strongly condemn the actions of the bus driver involved in this incident. The safety, well-being, and trust of our students, families, and community must always remain our highest priority, and the conduct described falls far below the standards expected of anyone entrusted with the care and
transportation of children.
We are equally disappointed by staff actions and decisions that occurred immediately following the initial report. Any allegation involving student safety must be treated with the utmost seriousness, urgency, and accountability. Delays or failures in following established reporting protocols undermine families’ trust and are unacceptable.
The Superintendent was not informed of this incident until after the bus driver had driven both routes and at her direction this matter was reported to the State’s Attorney. Thereafter, WCPS cooperated with law enforcement fully and the Superintendent’s office also initiated a comprehensive internal investigation. While personnel matters cannot be discussed publicly, we can assure the community that swift and strong corrective actions have been taken as a result of the findings. Additional measures are also being implemented to reinforce reporting expectations, accountability standards, and student safety procedures moving forward.
The Board of Education and Superintendent remain committed to accountability, continuous improvement, and ensuring that every student is transported in a safe and secure manner each day.