Bend-La Pine school bus driver arrested after alleged intoxicated route

Bend-La Pine school bus driver arrested after alleged intoxicated route BEND, Ore. (KATU) — A Bend-La Pine school bus driver was arrested April 3, after testing positive for high levels of alcohol. READ MORE | Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signs bill easing permits for farm stores, tours and events “At approximately 6:45 p.m. Friday, April 3, Bend Police received a call for service from a Bend-La Pine Schools transportation employee, who reported that a bus driver had been under the influence of alcohol while driving a school bus,” Bend Police said in a statement. Martha Ann Gerlicher, 67, was arrested at her home. According to police, Gerlicher had completed a route for Pine Ridge Elementary School and was at High Desert Middle School when she reported a possible issue with the brakes on her bus. “When the transportation employee arrived at High Desert Middle School at approximately 3:15 p.m., she found the bus had no mechanical issues but believed Gerlicher was intoxicated,” Bend Police said. “The employee removed Gerlicher from the bus and took her to a private testing facility for breath samples, which tested positive for high levels of alcohol.” Police said Gerlicher had a blood-alcohol level of 0.16 seven hours after the test at the private facility. She was arrested on suspicion of DUII and reckless endangerment.