Bus Driver Charged With DUI After Crash In Lombard

GLEN ELLYN, IL — A Naperville woman is accused of being intoxicated while driving a school bus for children with special needs after she crashed the bus in Lombard, police say.

Lauren Williams, 34, 4S700 block of Innisbrook Drive, was charged with aggravated DUI — school bus driver and driving too fast for conditions/failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident in connection with the Sept. 9 incident.

Officers were called to the 300 block of St. Charles Road just before 1 p.m. for a report of a crash. According to police, Williams dropped off the bus passengers, then went off-road and hit a junction box before heading to a Walgreens nearby.

Police say only Williams and an aide were on then bus during the crash. Officers reported that Williams appeared to be intoxicated, showing "slow/delayed speech, droopy eyelids and trouble keeping her eyes open."

In a statement, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said, "The allegations that Ms. Williams was under the influence of an intoxicating substance while she was driving a school bus full of children are disturbing. The type of behavior alleged in this case that put the lives of the children on the bus, as well as those of the motoring public in danger will not be tolerated in DuPage County. Thankfully, there were no children aboard the bus at the time of the crash and Ms. Williams’ alleged actions did not harm anyone."

Williams is being held in DuPage County Jail and is set to appear in court Oct. 7.