Lancaster County, NB – A 68-year-old Nebraska woman has accepted a plea deal after driving a school bus while severely intoxicated, authorities said. Betty Johnson, a former bus driver for the Norris School District, pleaded no contest to multiple misdemeanors, including DUI with a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit.
The incident occurred on May 7, 2025, when Johnson drove a morning bus route carrying 40 children, then later a noon route before being stopped by authorities.
Incident Overview
Johnson pleaded no contest to 0.15+ DUI, child abuse, and first-offense reckless driving, all misdemeanors, according to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors dropped two counts of transporting a child while intoxicated.
Authorities said Johnson’s blood alcohol content (BAC) tested at 0.22, nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08. She admitted to drinking before her noon bus route, which included preschoolers, and reportedly continued drinking afterward.
“Betty did admit to drinking prior to doing her noon bus route,” said a sheriff’s office spokesman. “I’ve been doing this job for 32 years now. I have never heard of a school bus driver being intoxicated, let alone this high.”
Timeline of Events
- May 7, 2025, morning: Johnson drove her scheduled bus route with 40 children onboard.
- Noon route: Johnson drove again while highly intoxicated.
- 3:30 p.m.: School staff alerted the sheriff’s office’s school resource officer after noticing Johnson’s extreme intoxication.
- Investigation: Deputies contacted Johnson and administered a breath test, confirming a 0.22 BAC.
- After-school route: Johnson was prevented from driving this route thanks to staff intervention.
School District and Law Enforcement Response
The Norris School District immediately terminated Johnson following her arrest. Officials emphasized that she will not drive for the district again and reaffirmed their commitment to student safety.
“We are very lucky that she got caught and was not allowed to do that after-school one,” said Chief Deputy Ben Houchin of the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office.
The district also thanked local law enforcement for their continued partnership in protecting students.
Legal and Safety Implications
Johnson’s plea deal carries misdemeanor charges for DUI, child abuse, and reckless driving, reflecting the severity of driving while intoxicated with children onboard. Authorities noted the seriousness of the case: a bus driver under the influence poses extreme risk to the safety of multiple children at once.
