Back on September 20, Kayla Pier, 38, was driving 32 students on a La Porte Community School Corporation (LPCSC) school bus. However, reportedly, students began noticing Pier's erratic and dangerous driving. The LPCSC intercepted the bus and removed Pier. Later that day, she resigned. Three months later, police arrested and charged Pier with operating while intoxicated and neglect of a dependent.
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Students reported Pier's "behaviors and mannerisms" and the Transportation Director for the School Corporation intercepted the bus that Kayla Pier was driving. She was driving the students from La Porte Middle School to Riley Elementary School. After her resignation, the LPCSC informed the La Porte County Sheriff's Office about their findings. They, in turn, confirmed via a toxicology result that Pier was intoxicated at the time.
"The courageous students aboard the bus who reported the behaviors of the accused are publicly commended," La Porte County Administrative Captain Derek J. Allen said in a
statement. "Their attention to detail and prompt actions may have prevented a tragedy from occurring."The La Porte County Sheriff's Office continued its investigation, gathering information including witness statements, videos recorded from security cameras and phones, and interviews, among others. Finally, on December 20, police issued an arrest warrant for Pier after they found probable cause. She surrendered on December 27.
"Thank you to the school corporation administrators for their assistance and cooperation throughout the investigation. Our partnership is committed to student safety, both on and off of every campus," Captain Allen concluded.
A Deeply Troubling Incident
The LPCSC shared the statement issued by the La Porte County Sheriff's Office and
issued a statement of their own."We are incredibly proud of our students, who recognized something was wrong and reported their concerns responsibly," the statement reads. "Their actions exemplify the 'see something, say something' principles we teach in our schools. These students potentially prevented a serious incident through their alertness and responsible decision-making."
They called the incident "deeply troubling," but stated that it has strengthened the environment in which students can feel free to "report concerns." "We will continue prioritizing student safety through our transportation safety program and encourage open communication between students, staff, and administrators," the statement concludes.
