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HSE Bus Driver Faces Charges After Student Caught Her Drinking Vodka on Duty

Driving

A routine school ride turned into a serious safety scare in Fishers, Indiana. A Hamilton Southeastern Schools bus driver now faces criminal charges after a student caught her drinking vodka while on duty. The case grabbed attention fast because it involves young students, a trusted adult, and a clear breach of safety rules.

This incident happened on April 1, 2026, but it was no joke. What started as a student’s suspicion quickly became a police case, a firing, and a court date. The details paint a troubling picture of risky behavior behind the wheel of a school bus.

A Student Spots Something Off

Shutter / Pexels / The student noticed a bottle that looked like vodka sitting in a plastic bag near the driver’s seat.

Instead, the student took a photo and sent it to the school dean. That quick action set everything in motion. School officials took the report seriously and moved fast to investigate before things could get worse.

The driver, 61-year-old Terri Shore from Noblesville, now faces two misdemeanor charges. These include criminal recklessness and consuming or possessing alcohol while operating a school bus. Both charges reflect how serious the situation became.

Police reviewed bus camera footage to understand what happened that day. The video showed Shore drinking directly from a vodka bottle shortly before 2 p.m. She then poured the alcohol into an orange juice container, which made it less obvious at first glance.

The footage also showed her brushing her teeth soon after. Police believe she did this to hide the smell of alcohol. That detail added to concerns that she knew her actions were wrong.

Shore picked up elementary school students and kept driving. Around 2:40 p.m., she was seen pouring liquid out of the orange juice bottle and refilling it with vodka again. She placed the container on the dashboard and continued drinking while driving.

Quick Response From School Officials

Once school leaders received the student’s report, they acted fast. The transportation director contacted Shore and told her to stop the bus right away. She pulled over at Brooks School Elementary, just minutes from the high school.

Students were safely moved to another bus before anything else happened. That step ensured no one remained in a risky situation. Safety remained the top priority throughout the response.

After the stop, the director confronted Shore. She admitted to drinking and allowed the staff to search the bus. They found a vodka bottle and an orange juice container filled with alcohol.

The district did not wait to take action. Shore was removed from duty the very next day, April 2. Soon after, she was fired from her position.

Legal Fallout and What Comes Next

Towfiq / Pexels / The school bus driver was formally charged on April 22, 2026. She is expected to appear in court for an initial hearing on May 14.

Both charges carry serious consequences, even as misdemeanors. Criminal recklessness points to the risk created for students. The alcohol charge reflects a clear violation of rules for commercial drivers.

State police also tested the bottle found on the bus. Results confirmed it contained 80 proof Coulsons vodka. That detail removes any doubt about what was in the container.

Hamilton Southeastern Schools made its position clear in a public statement. The district said it does not tolerate behavior that puts students at risk. That message aims to reassure families and reinforce standards.

Bus drivers must meet strict requirements before getting behind the wheel. They need a commercial driver’s license, a clean driving record, and must pass regular drug and alcohol tests. These rules exist to protect students at all times.

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