Shocking video shows the moment several Washington state students scream in terror as their ‘drunk’ bus driver behaved erratically and allegedly drove through three red lights.
Catherine L. Maccarone, 48, was arrested after a 10-year-old Longview Public Schools student called 911 on September 12 to report her for drunk driving.
In the recently released footage from a camera on the bus, the woman is heard saying: ‘I am crazy. I’m totally crazy.’
Shocking video shows the moment several Washington state students scream in terror as their ‘drunk’ bus driver behaved erratically and allegedly drove through three red lights
In the recently released footage from a camera on the bus, the woman is heard saying: ‘I am crazy. I’m totally crazy’
Moments later, the children scream in terror as she hits a pothole in the road, causing them to bounce out of their seats.
Maccarone was arrested earlier this month after the 10-year-old boy called 911 and told dispatchers that the driver was ‘wobbling’.
Maccarone (pictured) was arrested after a 10-year-old boy called 911 to report her
The boy told the dispatcher: ‘The bus driver, Catherine, she was drunk because she was like, she passed three red lights.’
He then told he dispatcher that he could tell she was intoxicated because she was ‘wobbling’ and ‘her eyes, you can tell, she was drunk,’ according ABC.
When asked if he could smell any drink on Maccarone the boy replied: ‘Her mouth, her breath, sort of smelled of alcohol.’
Longview police said that officers smelled an obvious odor of intoxicants coming from Maccarone and she was placed under arrest.
They added: ‘There were no children on the bus at the time of the arrest, however Maccarone had recently completed two afternoon bus routes.’
Rick Parrish, the school district’s communications coordinator, said up to 90 children may have been on the bus on September 12.
When questioned, Maccarone (pictured with her husband) allegedly told police she was upset about her divorce and was taking anxiety and sleep medication
When questioned, Maccarone allegedly told police she was upset about her divorce and was taking anxiety and sleep medication, according to the Daily News.
A breath test given by an officer showed Maccarone had a 0.096 per cent blood alcohol content, more than double the standard for driving a school bus.
The Longview School District said that Maccarone had been working as a bus driver for around a year and was now on paid leave.
They have already implemented changes following the incident, and drivers must now have a face-to-face check in with a dispatcher before picking up keys.
She was arrested for driving under the influence and reckless endangerment.
After being booked into jail, she posted bond and is due in court on October 15.
School officials said Maccarone had been working as a bus driver for around a year and is now on paid leave. They have implemented changes following the incident, and bus (file image) drivers must now have a face-to-face check in with a dispatcher before picking up keys
