Bend-La Pine Schools bus driver charged with 19 misdemeanors following April incident

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A Bend-La Pine Schools bus driver accused of driving under the influence after transporting elementary students in April has been formally charged with 19 misdemeanor counts.

Deschutes County court records show prosecutors filed charges July 21st against 67-year-old Martha Ann Gerlicher. She faces one count of driving under the influence of intoxicants and 18 counts of recklessly endangering another person. All are listed as Class A misdemeanors.

The charges stem from an alleged April 3rd incident. Each reckless-endangering count alleges Gerlicher created a substantial risk of serious physical injury to a person identified only by initials.

The DUII count alleges Gerlicher drove on a public roadway or premises while under the influence of alcohol or had a blood-alcohol concentration of at least 0.08% within two hours of driving.

KTVZ previously reported that Gerlicher had completed an afternoon route from Pine Ridge Elementary School with 18 students aboard before heading to High Desert Middle School for another route.

Bend Police said Gerlicher reported possible brake problems, prompting a transportation supervisor to respond. Investigators said the supervisor found no mechanical problems but suspected Gerlicher was impaired and removed her from duty.

Police later arrested Gerlicher at her Bend home. Investigators said a test taken about seven hours after the district’s initial testing showed a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.16%, twice the legal limit.

No students were physically harmed, according to the school district. The district said at the time that Gerlicher had been placed on leave pending further action and that the families of the 18 students were notified the day after the incident.

The newly filed court document lists Gerlicher’s next court appearance for August 27th.

The charges are allegations. Gerlicher is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.