School Bus Accident Involving DUI Gets Ojai Bus Driver Taken Off Route
Oct 19, 2009 Auto & Car Crashes, Drunk Driving
Recently, an Ojai school bus transporting 21 students to Nordhoff High, Meiners Oaks and Matilija Junior High Schools crashed with a pickup truck when the driver of the bus made a U-turn in front of the truck. Fortunately, no students were injured in the accident, but it did result in Kim Fullenwider being booked and placed in jail on suspicion of misdemeanor drunk driving. This led to Fullenwider being taken off of the route by the Ojai School District, where she previously had a good driving record.
The accident occurred in Live Oak Acres, and investigations found that the bus driver had been drinking the night before the accident happened, but still had alcohol in her bloodstream. Charges also included child endangerment and driving with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit. Since that time, Fullenwider has gotten out of jail and trustees will make a decision about whether to suspend or fire her. This was the first accident since she started driving with the Ojai Unified School District 16 years ago. Representatives of the school district state that they have received numerous calls on Fullenwider’s behalf, stating that she is a good person.
Los Angeles bus accident lawyers know that driving under the influence is one of the most dangerous driving practices you can engage in, particularly when it involves driving a commercial vehicle. Whether Fullenwider is a good person or not has very little bearing on the fact that childrens lives were in danger, and that they could have sustained serious injuries or even death due to her negligent behavior. Unfortunately, the action she took may have destroyed her spotless reputation and driving record, but driving under the influence while transporting children must not be tolerated.
Random drug tests are conducted at the Ojai Unified School District, and no drivers have tested positive up to this point over the last ten years. Those who drive commercial vehicles must adhere to strict standards when it comes to drugs and alcohol. Drivers of commercial vehicles also have a lower threshold for blood alcohol content than the general public, at .04 percent. These safeguards are essential, because drivers are often in control of massive vehicles that carry large loads or numerous passengers, and accidents can have very serious consequences.
Driving under the influence is simply not an acceptable practice at any time, especially when it involves the lives of others. The Reeves Law Group has offices across California are lawyers dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of bus accidents. For a free consultation, please call us at (800) 644-8000.
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