A Mobile County school bus driver's alleged drowsiness led to a serious accident involving student passengers in Wilmer, Alabama.
According to People, Mobile County Public Schools confirmed that the bus driver fell asleep before the vehicle ran off Mason Ferry Road and overturned on February 12, resulting in injuries to six students.
The driver, identified as Angela Lane Weaver, 47, of Lucedale, Mississippi, was operating the bus at 54 mph in a 45 mph zone when the incident occurred. Both Weaver and six juvenile passengers required medical attention and were transported to local hospitals for treatment.
Court records reveal a pattern of speeding violations in Weaver's recent driving history. Over the past four years, she accumulated three speeding tickets, with speeds significantly exceeding posted limits.
The violations began in February 2021 when she was caught driving 71 mph in a 45 mph zone. Subsequently, she received another ticket in May 2023 for traveling 74 mph in a 55 mph zone. Her most recent infraction occurred in September 2024, when she was recorded driving 80 mph in a 55 mph zone.
These revelations have raised questions about the effectiveness of the school district's driver screening process. School board member Johnny Hatcher expressed his concerns about the oversight:
The biggest concern I have is how did she slip through the cracks? We pay a vendor to check all the MVRs [motor vehicle records]. It slipped through their cracks, not ours, theirs.
The Mobile County Public Schools have maintained close communication with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency throughout the investigation process. The district issued an official statement acknowledging the severity of the situation.
Mobile County Public Schools shared their position on the matter:
Mobile County Public Schools has been working closely with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) in investigating the recent school bus accident. ALEA has now released its report, which found that the driver's actions were in violation of bus safety rules and regulations. This is a serious and concerning situation, and we remain committed to ensuring the highest level of safety for our students.
The district has placed Weaver on administrative leave while they determine appropriate disciplinary actions based on the investigation's findings.
The accident initially involved 14 students on board, with three requiring immediate medical attention at the time of the incident. This number later increased to six students receiving medical treatment.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's Highway Patrol Division continues its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Their preliminary findings confirmed the speed violation and the driver's condition as contributing factors to the accident.
The incident has prompted discussions about enhancing safety measures and driver screening protocols within the school district's transportation system.
The February 12 bus accident in Wilmer, Alabama, occurred when driver Angela Lane Weaver allegedly fell asleep while transporting students, resulting in the vehicle overturning and injuring six students. Mobile County Public Schools has placed Weaver on administrative leave following the release of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's investigation report, which revealed multiple prior speeding violations. The district is now reviewing its safety protocols and driver screening processes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
