NW Indiana school bus driver arrested for driving intoxicated with 32 students onboard: sheriff

LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. - A former Northwest Indiana school bus driver is facing felony charges after being accused of driving under the influence with 32 students onboard, authorities said.

Kayla Pier, 38, of Michigan City, is charged with operating while intoxicated and neglect of a dependent, both Level 6 felonies, following a months-long investigation, according to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office.

Pictured is Kayla Pier, of Michigan City.

Pier was employed as a school bus driver for the La Porte Community School Corporation when the incident occurred on Sept. 20.

Her duties included driving a bus route from La Porte Middle School to Riley Elementary School. Students who were onboard the bus made reports to school officials about Pier's driving behaviors and mannerisms, the sheriff's office said. 

The district’s transportation director intercepted Pier’s bus at Riley Elementary School, removed her from duty, and she resigned from the school corporation later that day, authorities said.

More than a month later, on Oct. 21, LPCSC Superintendent Sandra Wood informed Administrative Captain Derek Allen that the school corporation had received a toxicology report from Pier’s Sept. 20 test. 

The findings prompted an investigation led by Deputy Brian Crail, who collected witness statements, video footage from the bus, cellphone recordings, and interviews.

On Dec. 19, Crail submitted a probable cause affidavit to Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Autumn Ferch. The next day, a La Porte Circuit Court judge issued an arrest warrant for Pier.

Pier surrendered to authorities on Dec. 27, was booked into the La Porte County Jail, and later released after posting bond, authorities said.