Hearing Postponed For School Bus Driver Charged With DUI
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Students from Hopewell High School are getting ready for the new school year, but when classes start again, they will not be riding the school bus with driver Patty Komack.
She was in court Tuesday to answer charges that last school year; she was driving under the influence.
Komack, 53, has not driven a school bus since last April. That's when co-workers from the Hopewell School District reported to supervisors they believed Komack smelled of alcohol.
She had already begun her morning route for the high school students. School officials responded, took Komack off the road, and administered a breathalyzer.
"One of the issues here is the police officer had no interaction with my client that day. The criminal complaint was filed on information received," said Steven Valsamidis, Komack's attorney.
Komack arrived at the Beaver County Courthouse Tuesday ready to proceed with a hearing, but it had to be postponed because of delays in the prosecution's case.
"The cops need a few certifications on their DUI machines and that's why they had to ask for a postponement," said Valsamidis.
According to a police criminal complaint, Komack's blood alcohol level came in at .042 on the first test and .033 on the second test. She didn't drive anymore students that day, but had already transported 12 students. She now faces 12 counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
"She is definitely having a hard time. She is an honest, hardworking woman. She's never been in trouble before and she's really taking this hard," said Valsamidis.
When the hearing actually moves forward, now scheduled for Sept. 4, Komack plans to fight the charges. Her goal is to be able to get back to work again, if not Hopewell, then somewhere else.
"She absolutely wants to work, but given the stigma of the charges, associated with this charge, she is definitely having a hard time," Valsamidis said.
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