It’s disputed if the bus driver revived with Narcan after crash was on drugs or having a medical attack. She’s in court today – NJ.com

A Newark woman behind the wheel of a school bus taking 12 special needs children home who police say needed to be revived with Narcan will appear in court Wednesday morning.

Significant questions remain as developments have come to light in the case against Lisa Byrd, the 57-year-old who is charged with driving under the influence.

According to PIX11, the owner of the bus company she works for, F&A Transportation, said Byrd is not a bus driver, but rather a school bus aide.

Authorities also allege she was high on heroin, but Ahmed Mahgoub, the bus company owner, says she has a medical issue related to a diabetic condition, the report states.

Mahgoub told the outlet that Byrd had previously mentioned her diabetic medication not working, and speculated that her blood sugar may have dropped and she went into a coma.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, however, said she was found passed out behind the wheel with drugs and paraphernalia. Byrd was revived by first responders with Narcan, an opioid antidote carried by first responders.

The antidote is naloxone and Narcan is one of it’s brand names.

Mahgoub was not available for comment Tuesday. A woman who answered the phone said he was conducting vehicle inspections in the morning, and she could not confirm the news reports.

Byrd will appear at the Essex County Courthouse Wednesday morning before Judge Ronald Wigler. It’s unclear if she’s obtained a defense attorney.

This crash occurred a day after a 29-year-old driver allegedly on drugs killed three people, including a father and son, when his vehicle plowed into a gas station in Wayne. That driver was also revived with naloxone.

Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips

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