The school bus driver who twice crashed her bus with 10 children on board as she drove along Sound Avenue in Baiting Hollow last summer has pleaded guilty to multiple felony DWI charges and other charges.
Diane Juergens of Ridge, pleaded guilty Thursday to 22 counts of Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, four counts of Driving While Intoxicated, 10 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and two counts of Leaving the Scene of an Accident.
Juergens, 62, a driver for First Student Bus Company, drove with a blood alcohol content nearly eight times the legal limit for a commercial driver license holder last July 21, when she attempted to transport 10 Cub Scouts home from the Boy Scout Camp in Baiting Hollow, according to a press release issued yesterday by Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. The children, all under the age of 11, were accompanied on the bus by their camp counselor.
During the trip, Juergens tried to make a U-turn on Sound Avenue. While backing the bus up, she reversed into a stone pillar. In a separate incident Juergens also hit a GMC Yukon, according to the release.
Juergens failed to stop and exchange her name, address, license and insurance information with the owners of the properties she damaged, prosecutors said. Juergens left both scenes and then returned to Boy Scout camp, according to the release.
There were no injuries reported, Riverhead Police said last year.
After responding Riverhead Police officers determined Juergens to be intoxicated, they placed her under arrest and transported her to Riverhead Police headquarters, where Juergens consented to a blood test, according to the press release. It revealed a blood-alcohol content of .30% Under N.Y. State Law, the BAC legal limit for a driver with a CDL license, which is required for the operation of a school bus, is .04%, half the legal limit for a driver with a non-commercial, Class D license.
Juergens is due back in Suffolk County Criminal Court for sentencing June 14.
The survival of local journalism depends on your support.
We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community.
Support RiverheadLOCAL today.