Worcester Authorities Will Not Bring Charges in Bus Driver’s Alcohol Consumption Investigation
WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. – Multiple Worcester County agencies have come together to release new details regarding an ongoing investigation into a school bus driver that allegedly consumed alcohol prior to driving students.
The statement, jointly issued by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), State’s Attorney (SA) for Worcester County, and Worcester County Public Schools (WCPS), announced that no charges will be filed as a result of their investigation. Authorities say their decision to not file was based in part on expired breathalyzer equipment and a lack of traffic infractions during the cited period.
“State’s Attorney Heiser, Sheriff Crisafulli, Superintendent Wallace and the members of the Board of Education (BOE) recognize the right of the public to transparency and accountability from their elected leaders, particularly on matters involving the safety of children at school,” the statement began. “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.”
Facts of the Case
Authorities say that on Apr. 25, WCPS reported reported to law enforcement that a school bus driver had consumed alcohol prior to transporting students from Showell Elementary School and Berlin Intermediate School the day prior. The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation subsequently launched an investigation, collecting written statements provided by Superintendent Annette Wallace and the Worcester County BOE. The Bureau also examined 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 two alcoholic beverages between 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Video surveillance also revealed the bus driver’s wife, who worked as an aide on her husband’s school bus, also consumed alcoholic beverages prior to performing her duties. A witness reportedly observed the alcohol consumption and notified the WCPS bus driver-trainer who then drove to Showell Elementary School to assess the bus driver. However, authorities say this notification came
after the bus driver had already transported students from Berlin Intermediate School.
The bus driver-trainer reportedly determined that the bus driver was not under the influence of alcohol after his assessment. Following consultation with a school system administrator and the bus driver-trainer’s direct supervisor, she 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. It resulted in two different blood alcohol content readings, the first being .08 and the second being .089.
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 two bus routes.
Issues with Breathalyzer Test & Investigation
After conducting the breathalyzer test, detectives determined that the breathalyzer was calibrated with equipment that had been expired since Sept. 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.
Sheriff Crisafulli also acknowledged the investigation was hindered by a lack of timely reporting by “certain school employees,” but maintained the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation conducted a thorough investigation of all relevant facts and obtained all evidence still available.
“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,” Sheriff Crisafulli said in part. “Similarly, detectives were unable to interview witnesses on scene or obtain statements from the bus driver or his wife.”
SA Heiser personally reviewed the investigation and determined that the State lacks sufficient evidence to prove any traffic or criminal offenses beyond a reasonable doubt, leading her to decline pursuing charges. She echoed Sheriff Crisafulli’s sentiments about timely reporting, saying the following:
“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.”
WCPS Response
Worcester County BOE and Superintendent Wallace say they strongly condemn the actions of the bus driver involved in this incident, but also recognize the impact that untimely reporting had on this case. The superintendent says that she was not informed of the incident until after the bus driver had driven both routes. At her direction, this matter was reported to the State’s Attorney.
“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,” the joint statement read. “Delays or failures in following established reporting protocols undermine families’ trust and are unacceptable.”
While WCPS declines to discuss personnel matters publicly, the community can be assured that swift and strong corrective actions have been taken as a result of the findings. Further, additional measures are also being implemented to reinforce reporting expectations, accountability standards, and student safety procedures moving forward.
