Richland County School Bus Driver Receives DUI Charges, as well as Child Endangerment
A bus driver for Richland County School District 1 ran her school bus off the road on Friday. She was arrested on DUI charges – her blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit.
Officers from the South Carolina Highway Patrol say that 61-year-old Margaret Means took the breathalyzer test and blew a .17. The legal BAC in South Carolina is .08.
According to a spokesperson from Richland County School District 1, Means had finished part of her route, dropping off 151 students at their elementary, middle, and high schools. There were no students on the bus at the time of the crash.
The crash occurred at 9:10 AM on Clarkson Road near Hopkins Middle School. According to the incident report, Means told officers that she had consumed a liter of wine the night before, but had not had anything else to drink that morning. The trooper who wrote the report noted that Means had bloodshot eyes and was unsteady on her feet.
Means was not injured in the accident. She was arrested at the scene and taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
She was charged with DUI and child endangerment.
Means has worked for Richland One for 12 years. However, according to the school district, she will not drive a bus for them again, although she is currently still on the payroll.
Richland County DUI Charges and Defense
In 2009, South Carolina DUI penalties became more intense with stiffer fines and more jail time making it even more critical that you are represented by a criminal defense lawyer.
- The higher your BAC, the stiffer the penalties.
- If you refuse to take the breathalyzer test, even for a DUI first offense, you will lose your license for 6 months, unless you request an administrative suspension hearing.
Your punishment for drunk driving is based upon whether:
- the charge is a DUI first, DUI second, DUI third, or subsequent offense;
- your blood alcohol level;
- whether you refused to take a chemical test, such as a breathalyzer;
- you had minors in your vehicle; and
- whether you were involved in an accident.
The Strom Law Firm can help defend against DUI charges
The attorneys at Strom Law Firm handle all criminal matters in all criminal courts in Richland County, including DUI charges. The Richland County Criminal Defense Attorneys at Strom Law Firm have 16 years experience and can handle everything from DUI and child endangerment, to federal crimes.
When you are facing serious charges, it is very important to have an experienced attorney who fully understands the criminal legal system. Pete Strom, the former US Attorney for the District of South Carolina, founded the Strom Law Firm, and he and his attorneys are familiar with and experienced in handling various types of criminal charges. When you are facing serious charges, you need an attorney with experience. Let the experienced attorneys at the Strom Law Firm formulate your defense. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. 803.252.4800.