Woman accused of driving under the influence, using child as shield after school bus chase
By Stephanie Moore
Click here for updates on this story
NORTH CHARLESTON, South Carolina (WYFF) — A South Carolina woman who led authorities on a chase in a school bus is accused of using her young son as a shield when she eventually stopped for authorities.
The North Charleston Police Department said just before 3:30 p.m. on Thursday it got an alert that a school bus was traveling along Palmetto Commerce Parkway in an erratic manner.
The bus had reportedly nearly struck another vehicle, and the driver, later identified as Shakira Jones, was suspected of being impaired.
Officers found the bus and saw it traveling at approximately 65 mph in a posted 45 mph zone.
Police also reported that Jones made an improper turn onto Ashley Phosphate Road, followed by four improper and multiple erratic lane changes.
Officers activated their emergency lights and sirens on Ashley Phosphate Road.
However, after turning onto Peppermill Parkway, police said Jones accelerated rapidly and failed to stop as officers pursued it with emergency lights and sirens activated.
The bus stopped briefly before Mill Ridge Lane, prompting officers to attempt a high-risk traffic stop and issue commands over a public-address system. They said Jones then made an erratic right turn toward Stall High School.
Police said the bus stopped a second time, and officers again issued verbal commands.
Although Jones initially placed the bus in park, she then shifted back into drive moments later and accelerated into a parking lot where school staff were present, police said. Staff members reportedly had to take evasive action to avoid the bus and pursuing officers.
After the bus came to a final stop, officers continued issuing commands, but Jones refused to exit, according to police. Assisting officers were eventually able to see Jones.
Police said Jones placed a child in front of her in an apparent attempt to shield herself from officers. Officers safely removed the child and tried to take Jones into custody. After a brief struggle, she was arrested, authorities said.
Investigators later determined that the child aboard the bus was Jones’ son. He was eventually turned over to a relative.
During the investigation, officers reportedly found a bottle of prescribed amphetamines among Jones’ personal belongings within arm’s reach of the driver’s seat.
Police said Jones consented to standardized field sobriety tests, and the officer who administered them concluded that there was probable cause that she had been driving while impaired.
Jones was transported to the Al Cannon Detention Center and charged with Failure to Stop for Blue Lights and Sirens, Driving Under the Influence, and Child Endangerment.
Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.