Bend School Bus Driver Arrested for DUII

Police say driver had high BAC after reportedly operating school bus route

BEND, Ore. — A Bend-La Pine Schools bus driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and reckless endangering after district staff reported concerns about intoxication while she was operating a school bus, according to Bend Police.

Police said the incident began at approximately 6:45 p.m. Friday, April 3, when Bend Police received a call from a Bend-La Pine Schools transportation employee reporting that a bus driver had been under the influence of alcohol while driving.

According to police, the driver — identified as 67-year-old Martha Ann Gerlicher of Bend — had contacted the transportation office earlier in the afternoon to report that the brakes on her bus were not working. Gerlicher had completed a route for Pine Ridge Elementary School and was at High Desert Middle School preparing to begin another route.

When a transportation employee arrived at High Desert Middle School at approximately 3:15 p.m., officials said the bus showed no mechanical issues. The employee reportedly believed Gerlicher was intoxicated, removed her from the bus, and transported her to a private testing facility where breath samples indicated high levels of alcohol.

At approximately 6:45 p.m., the school district contacted non-emergency dispatch to report the incident. Officers later responded to Gerlicher’s home, where she was taken into custody.

Police said Gerlicher was transported to the Bend Police Department. At approximately 11 p.m. — about seven hours after the initial private testing — she registered a blood alcohol content of 0.16 percent.

Gerlicher was transported to the Deschutes County Jail on suspicion of DUII and reckless endangering.

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