News Summary
Angela Fitzgerald, a 45-year-old bus driver, faces multiple charges after a crash injured four students from the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. The incident occurred while transporting students to a field trip in Ohio. Fitzgerald has been charged with felony counts of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury and multiple misdemeanors. Following her arraignment, she was released on a surety bond. The legal proceedings will determine accountability while community discussions on safety protocols for student transportation are ongoing.
Grand Rapids, Michigan — Angela Fitzgerald, a 45-year-old bus driver, has been charged following a crash that injured four students from the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. The incident took place on March 29 while the bus was transporting students and staff to a field trip in Ohio. Fitzgerald, who was driving the bus, was arraigned on August 6 and is facing multiple charges related to the crash.
According to reports from the Michigan State Police, the bus veered off I-96 near Portland Township, Ionia County, striking a guardrail at approximately 6:54 a.m. Eleven students and four adults were aboard the bus, which included Fitzgerald. As a result of the crash, four students were injured and required medical attention. Three of the students suffered minor injuries, while one student sustained serious injuries.
Fitzgerald has been charged with two felony counts of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury, reflecting the serious nature of the injuries sustained by the students. Additionally, three misdemeanor counts of operating while impaired – occupant under 16 have been filed against her. Other charges include one misdemeanor count of operating while intoxicated and two misdemeanor counts for moving violations that caused serious impairment of bodily functions.
Following the charges, Fitzgerald was released on a $5,000 surety bond on August 7. A probable cause conference for her case is scheduled for August 20 in Ionia County District Court, followed by a preliminary exam set for August 27.
In response to the incident, the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre has publicly expressed their support for the affected students and their families via social media. The organization emphasized the importance of safety and well-being for all involved.
This incident raises significant concerns about student safety during school trips, particularly when transportation is involved. The legal proceedings against Fitzgerald will determine the accountability and implications of her actions. As the case unfolds, the community continues to rally around the injured students, stressing the need for enhanced safety measures to protect youth during such outings.
Authorities emphasize the importance of vigilance and caution when transporting young individuals, especially in the context of school-related activities. The incident has prompted discussions among parents, educators, and officials about best practices for ensuring that all safety protocols are followed during school trips.
Further updates are expected following the court conferences and exams, as the legal process will proceed to address Fitzgerald’s charges and their severity. Meanwhile, the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre is likely to reevaluate its trip protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
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Additional Resources
- Lansing State Journal: March Bus Crash
- MSN: Woman Accused of Impaired Driving
- Wood TV: Bus Driver Had THC in System
- Wikipedia: School Bus Safety
- Fox 17: Driver Charged with OWI
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Bus
- WZZM 13: Bus Crash Sends Four Students to Hospital
- Google Search: Student Transportation Safety
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
