When a parent sends a child off to school, the last thing he or she should have to think about is that the child may be in danger by a bus driver who is violating DWI laws. The unfortunate truth, however, is that some bus drivers, likely suffering from severe alcohol or other problems, drive school busses while intoxicated, which can lead to a dangerous and deadly situations. Luckily, in the most recent case involving a school bus driver and DWI charges, no children were hurt.
According to WHEC.com, 47-year-old Manon B. Coyne, a bus driver from Geneseo, New York, was arrested earlier this week at her home, and was arraigned in Geneseo Town Court. Bail was set for Ms. Coyne at $5,000, and she was remanded to the Livingston County Jail. Ms. Coyne was charged under New York’s Leandra’s Law, which is a DWI Law specifically tailored to address the hazardous activity of driving with young children while intoxicated. Ms. Coyne faces five counts of felony DWI under the law, in addition to one count of aggravated DWI and five counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
The Livingston County News provides an account of the events leading up to Ms. Coyne’s arrest. Ms. Coyne is said to have taken students, ranging from ages 7 to 19-years-old, to summer school on the morning of her arrest. Sometime during her bus run, Sheriff’s deputies were called to a residence because a 49-year-old man, who has yet to be identified, was suffering from alcohol poisoning and was being taken to a hospital. At the residence, deputies found narcotics and arrested a 19-year-old woman, Gabrianna J. Allen-Reitter. It is unknown what her relationship is to the 49-year-man, or Ms. Coyne. Deputies arrested Ms. Allen-Reitter for third-degree criminal possession of drugs, and for resisting arrest.
As deputies processed the crime scene at the residence, Ms. Coyne arrived. It is unclear from the report whether this was also her home, and what her relationship was to the 49-year-old man and Ms. Allen-Reitter. However, deputies allegedly observed Ms. Coyne driving her vehicle and, upon further inquiry, determined that Ms. Coyne had been intoxicated. Deputies then learned that Ms. Coyne had just been driving a school bus. Ms. Coyne’s blood alcohol content was .24 percent, according to the Sheriff’s Office, which far exceeds the legal limit for a commercial driver’s license holder.
Ms. Coyne’s case demonstrates that alleged Leandra’s Law violations are taken very seriously by law enforcement. Even though Ms. Coyne was not arrested while driving the school bus, she was charged with violating Leandra’s Law after the fact due to her intoxication. If you have been charged with violating DWI laws, your first line of defense is to contact an experienced DWI attorney. An experienced DWI attorney can understand DWI laws and procedures, and can work to defend your case. Call the experienced DWI attorneys at Nave DWI Defense Attorneys today at 1-866-792-7800 for confidential consultation.
The exclusive purpose of this article is educational and it is not intended as either legal advice or a general solution to any specific legal problem. Corporate offices for Nave DWI Defense Attorneys are located at 432 N. Franklin Street, Suite 80, Syracuse, NY 13204; Telephone No.: 1-866-792-7800. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney Advertising.
