Driver convicted in WRTA bus crash

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – A woman driving a WRTA bus who was charged following a crash investigation was sentenced in her case Wednesday.

Gloria Steward, 60, was found guilty of physical control and hit-skip, while the improper passing/trespassing charge against her was dismissed, an Austintown court official said.

The employee said Steward was sentenced to 12 months’ probation to pay costs and fines, and had her driver’s license suspended for a year.

Steward was charged after the Western Reserve Transit Authority bus she was riding in collided with two vehicles on March 5, according to a police report.

A witness said the driver of the WRTA bus appeared to be “going in and out of consciousness,” and police said the driver admitted to hitting the vehicle but denied drinking alcohol.

According to an Austintown police report, Steward tested positive on a breathalyzer test, so her blood was also tested. Lab results returned May 19 showed she had a blood alcohol level of 0.104, according to a police report. Charges were filed the next day.

There were no injuries and no one was on the bus at the time of the accident.

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