Somers School Bus Driver Admits Driving Drunk

SOMERS, NY — A school bus driver who was accused of driving while drunk with children on board pleaded guilty Tuesday in Westchester County Court.

William Mendez, 62, was charged with and pleaded guilty to felony Leandra's Law, which is related to driving while intoxicated with a child as a passenger.

He was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 20, 2021, according to the Westchester County District Attorney's office.

According to prosecutors, around 4 p.m. Dec. 9, 2019, the Somers Central School District was notified by a parent that Mendez was "acting strangely" while driving children home.

The district's director of transportation immediately called Royal Coach Lines Somers Dispatch to have the driver stop driving. The transportation director drove to Mendez's location on Stephanie Lane, where he was relieved of his duties.

He was taken to Northern Westchester Hospital for evaluation.

The New York State Police started an investigation in cooperation with the school district. After getting permission to obtain a biological sample, Mendez's blood alcohol was determined to be 0.22 percent.

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