A former Utah school bus driver who admitted to setting fire to his school bus, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, bringing an end to a decade-long case that raised concerns about student safety.

Michael Austin Ford, 60, of West Valley City, pleaded guilty in March to arson of a vehicle belonging to an organization receiving federal funds after investigators determined he intentionally ignited a Granite School District bus with a cigarette lighter while driving it in April 2023. Federal prosecutors said surveillance video captured Ford setting the fire beneath the dashboard and continuing to drive as smoke billowed past his face.

In addition to the prison term, Ford was sentenced Monday to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay more than $21,000 in restitution.

The case drew heightened attention because prosecutors also accused Ford of setting another school bus fire in February 2022 while 42 children were aboard. According to court records, students reported smelling smoke and were seen on video covering their faces with their shirts and coughing as smoke filled the bus. Ford eventually stopped the vehicle, evacuated the students, and used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. No serious injuries were reported. The charge related to that incident was dismissed as part of his plea agreement.

Federal authorities said Ford also attempted to tamper with the bus video surveillance system in the days leading up to the April 2023 fire, but investigators were still able to obtain video evidence showing him igniting the blaze.

Fires Go Back at Least 10 Years

Ford had worked for the Granite School District since 1998 and drove school buses for approximately 25 years before he was terminated following the investigation.

Investigators also linked Ford to several other suspicious fires. According to court documents, authorities determined he was involved in eight fires, including four involving Granite School District buses, two at his West Valley City residence and two involving personal vehicles. Police noted that the four bus fires all originated in the dashboard area and occurred while Ford was driving. One of those incidents occurred in 2017 when a bus was partially engulfed in flames, damaging part of the vehicle. No children were on board, and no injuries were reported. Authorities initially believed the fire was caused by mechanical problems before later identifying Ford as the driver.

“Protecting our most vulnerable population is a top priority,” U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak said in a statement following the sentencing. “I want to thank our law enforcement partners and my office who worked tirelessly on this case to bring it to a close and hold Mr. Ford accountable for his intentional disregard for safety and the law.”

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Perrin Turney has become a familiar and trusted face in the rural Kneeland School District, where his job extends far beyond driving a school bus through the winding roads of Humboldt County.

Turney, a bus driver for Kneeland in rural Humboldt County, was recently named the 2026 California Classified School Employee of the Year for Transportation Services by the California Department of Education. The statewide recognition honors school employees who make significant contributions to public education.

For Turney, the award represents not only personal recognition but pride in the small mountain community he calls home. “Kneeland is a very small school, and not many people outside the area know we exist,” Turney told School Transportation News. “This recognition puts our school and district on the map in a really meaningful way.”

Turney has worked at Kneeland School since 2016, first serving as the school janitor before gradually taking on additional responsibilities. Over the years, he has helped with information technology, managed the school’s water system, supported students in classrooms, and assisted with math instruction for middle school students. He also manages the school website, helps troubleshoot technology issues across campus and fills in wherever needed in the one-school district.

Driving a school bus was never part of his original plan. “Eventually, the school asked if I would be willing to get my commercial license so I could serve as a backup bus driver,” Turney said. “What started as a temporary role became a job I truly care about.”

Now, transporting students safely across the district’s nearly 145 square miles of mountainous terrain has become one of his most important roles.

California School Bus Driver Wears Many Hats

The route presents daily challenges, including narrow roads, potholes, blind curves, black ice, fallen trees, and dense fog that can reduce visibility to only a few yards. Hurricane-force winds and sudden storms can quickly change driving conditions along the route, requiring constant awareness and preparation.

Turney said he begins each day by checking weather conditions, reviewing school cameras for visible hazards and driving the route himself before students board the bus. “If I feel the road conditions are unsafe, I do not hesitate to call the day off,” he said. “The goal is always the same: Get the students to and from school safely.”

His mornings typically begin before 7 a.m. with a pre-trip safety inspection at the bus yard before he heads out to pick up students in nearby Arcata, Freshwater and along the rural mountain roads leading to Kneeland School. Once students arrive safely on campus, Turney shifts into his other responsibilities for the day, helping with maintenance, assisting students, overseeing technology needs and teaching math.

School leaders say Turney’s calm demeanor and reliability have made him especially trusted among students and families. “Kneeland School District alum Perrin Turney wears many hats in the one-school district, none as important as bus driver,” district officials said in nomination materials supporting his award.

That steady presence has become especially important during unexpected situations on the road. In one memorable incident, steam suddenly poured from under the hood of the bus during a morning route after a coolant reservoir leak. Turney calmly reassured students, safely pulled the bus over and coordinated transportation arrangements while the bus was repaired.

“In those moments, the most important thing is to stay calm, understand the situation, reassure the students and make the safest decision possible,” he said.

Beyond transportation, Turney also created a “Maker’s Space” program that teaches students hands-on technical skills, including 3D printing and technology projects designed to introduce students to current technology trends.

Despite his many responsibilities, Turney said working with students remains the most rewarding part of his job. “Watching students grow into thoughtful, capable and kind people is an amazing thing to be part of,” he said. “The students also teach me how to be a better person.”

Students know Turney as a steady presence who balances safety with humor and compassion. He said consistency helps children feel secure during their rides to and from school.

“The bus should be a safe place, but it should also be a place where students can enjoy themselves a little and decompress,” Turney said.

Turney credits the California school bus driver recognition to the community members, coworkers, and families who supported his nomination.

“I feel grateful,” he said. “I am proud to represent Kneeland, and I could not be happier that this recognition shines a light not just on me, but on the school, the students, the families and the community that make this place so special.”

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Police in central Oregon arrested a school bus driver on suspicion of driving under the influence for a blood-alcohol concentration four times the legal limit for a commercial driver.

The school driver, identified as 67-year-old Martha Ann Gerlicher, reportedly completed one route for Bend La-Pine Schools April 3 and was preparing to begin another when a school district employee observed the alleged impairment.

According to a statement released by the City of Bend Police Department, the Bend-La Pine Schools transportation employee called authorities after suspecting Gerlicher was intoxicated. Earlier, Gerlicher had contacted the transportation office to report brake problems on her bus after finishing a route for Pine Ridge Elementary School. She was at High Desert Middle School to begin another route when the other transportation employee arrived around 3:15 p.m.

The employee reportedly found no mechanical issues with the bus but detected signs Gerlicher might be under the influence. Gerlicher was removed from the vehicle and taken to a private testing facility, where she reportedly showed high levels of alcohol.

Blood-Alcohol Testing Indicate Impairment

Police were then contacted and took Gerlicher into custody. Later testing administered at the Bend Police Department around 11 p.m., roughly seven hours after the alleged drunk driving and initial screening, indicated a bloodalcohol concentration of 0.16 percent. The legal limit  for all commercial driver’s license holders nationwide is 0.04 percent, half of the 0.08 legal limit for other motorists in Oregon.

Gerlicher was booked into the Deschutes County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants and reckless endangerment. As of April 7, court records indicated no formal charges had been filed. No students were reportedly harmed during the alleged drunk driving incident.

In a statement to local news reporters, Bend-La Pine School District said that student safety remains its top priority and confirmed that Gerlicher was placed on leave pending further action.

Related: South Carolina School Bus Driver Charged with DUI While Transporting Students
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Related: West Virginia School Bus Driver Accused of DUI, Accepts Guilty Plea

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A school bus driver in southeastern Massachusetts is under investigation after authorities say he allegedly urinated inside a bus while transporting young students to an elementary school.

The incident occurred March 30, as the bus was on route to Hoyle Elementary School, according to a news release from the Swansea Police Department.

Police said preliminary findings indicate that the 71-year-old driver pulled the bus over during the route and instructed students to move to the back. He then allegedly remained in the driver’s seat and relieved himself inside the vehicle while the children were still on board.

After the incident, the driver completed the route and dropped off the students at the school, authorities said. The situation came to light when some of the children reported what had happened to school staff, prompting an investigation by school officials and police.

“This type of behavior in the presence of children, especially young children, is unacceptable,” a statement reads.

Authorities said there were 12 children on the bus at the time, ranging from pre-kindergarten to second grade. Police noted that investigators currently believe none of the students directly witnessed the act itself.

School officials notified the parents of all children who were on the bus. The driver, who has not been publicly identified, is no longer permitted to operate within the Swansea Public Schools system. Police said the school district informed Amaral Bus Company, the transportation provider for the district, that the driver has been removed from service.

In addition, Swansea Public Schools is reviewing its relationship with the company and considering measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

As of Monday afternoon, no criminal charges had been filed against the driver. Detectives are continuing to investigate the allegations.

School officials have also filed a report with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families in accordance with standard procedures. Officials emphasized the seriousness of the matter and said the investigation remains ongoing.

Related: South Carolina School Bus Driver Charged with DUI While Transporting Students
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Related: Superintendent Defends School Bus Driver Accused of Erratic Driving, Potential Impairment

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Police arrested a 71-year-old school bus driver in Florida and charged him with lascivious molestation after a 9-year-old student reported inappropriate behavior during a school bus ride.

According to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, the case began March 4, when a school resource deputy received a report about concerning behavior involving a bus driver. The school bus driver allegedly asked a 9-year-old student to lift her dress while she was riding a school bus.

Deputies immediately launched a preliminary investigation. According to the press release, investigators gathered additional information during follow-up interviews that prompted the case to be referred to the agency’s Criminal Investigations Division for further review.

Authorities identified the suspect as Edwin Garcia of Port St. Lucie. Following the investigation, Garcia was arrested and charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim under the age of 12 by an offender 18 years of age or older, officials said.

Garcia was transported to the St. Lucie County Jail for processing. The sheriff’s office said the investigation remains active, and anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact authorities.

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A school bus driver is facing dozens of charges after authorities say she drove a bus carrying 54 elementary school children while heavily intoxicated.

An arrest warrant was issued for Kelly Weber, 46, of Boyertown. She is charged with driving under the influence, 54 counts of endangering the welfare of children, 54 counts of reckless endangerment and several summary offenses, according to the office of Kevin R. Steele and Robert B. Evans.

Police said the drunk driving incident with children on board occurred around 4 p.m. Feb. 6 in Douglass Township after authorities received reports of a school bus driving erratically, narrowly missing other vehicles and nearly striking a telephone pole.

An officer located the bus near Second Avenue and Gilbert Road, where it had come to rest in a snowbank.

Investigators said the bus belonged to Quigley Bus Service. Officers reported finding an open 750-milliliter bottle of Tito’s Handmade Vodka on the bus, along with two empty 50-milliliter bottles of the same brand. Police also recovered a receipt showing the alcohol had been purchased at a Fine Wine & Good Spirits earlier that morning.

Authorities said Weber consented to a blood test. Results from NMS Labs showed her blood alcohol concentration was 0.331. Testing also detected Delta-9 Carboxy THC at a level of 6.6.

Drunk Driving Incident Endangers Dozens of Children

Investigators determined that 54 children were on the bus during the route, including five under age 6. Authorities said several children contacted their parents during the ride, saying they were frightened by the driver’s behavior. One child got off the bus early and was picked up by parents.

“More than 50 young children were in a dangerous situation created by this defendant, who chose to consume a significant amount of alcohol and then get behind the wheel of a school bus and drive miles while intoxicated,” Steele said in a statement.

Officials said Weber checked herself into a rehabilitation facility shortly after the incident. Police said arrangements are being made for her to surrender to authorities, after which she will be arraigned on the drunk driving and endangerment charges, and bail will be set.

Related: Massachusetts School Bus Driver Charged with Drunk Driving
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Related: West Virginia School Bus Driver Faces Sentence After DUI Crash
Related: West Virginia School Bus Driver Accused of DUI, Accepts Guilty Plea

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