LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. — A La Porte County woman has been arrested for driving a school bus while intoxicated. According to a Facebook post from the La Porte County Sheriff's Office, 38-year-old Kayla Pier was employed as a school bus driver for the La Porte Community School Corporation. On Sept. 20, she was driving a bus loaded with 32 students. Per LCSO, some of the students on her bus that day reported that she displayed abnormal driving behavior and mannerisms. Upon receiving the reports, LPCSC's transportation director immediately responded to Riley Elementary School to intercept the bus Pier was driving. LCSO indicated that Pier was ultimately removed from the bus. LPCSC administrators investigated the incident, but Pier resigned from her position the same day she was removed from the bus. District administrators contacted the La Porte County Sheriff's Office about the Pier's alleged activity on Oct. 21. The case was then assigned to a school resource officer, who gathered information via witness statements, video surveillance footage from the school bus in question and cell phone interviews. The resource officer submitted a probable cause affidavit regarding Pier's case to the La Porte County Prosecutor's Office on Dec. 19. On Dec. 20, a warrant was issued for Pier's arrest. Pier self-surrendered to law enforcement on Dec. 27. She was booked into the La Porte County Jail and later released when bail was posted on her behalf. Pier has been preliminarily charged with operating while intoxicated and neglect of a dependent. Both charges are Level 6 Felonies in Indiana. The maximum penalty for a Level 6 Felony in the Hoosier State is a 2.5-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $10,000. “The courageous students aboard the bus who reported the behaviors of the accused are publicly commended," LCSO Captain Derek J. Allen wrote in a prepared statement. "Their attention to detail and prompt actions may have prevented a tragedy from occurring. “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." In a statement posted on Facebook, LPCSC indicated it has high standards for its school bus drivers. All LPCSC bus drivers must have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and complete regular drug and alcohol screenings. "Our district maintains rigorous standards for all transportation employees, including mandatory random drug and alcohol testing, regular credential verification, and ongoing safety training," district administrators wrote in a prepared statement. "All drivers must hold a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with proper endorsements and undergo regular medical examinations as state and federal regulations require. "While this incident is deeply troubling, it has reinforced the importance of fostering an environment where students feel empowered to report concerns. We will continue prioritizing student safety through our transportation safety program and encourage open communication between students, staff, and administrators." LPCSC's full statement on Pier's arrest is available here.