N.J. school bus driver accused of crashing while overdosing on heroin to remain in jail, judge rules – NJ.com

The bus aide who was driving a Newark school bus while high on heroin when it crashed with 11 special needs children on board last week will remain in jail while awaiting trial, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Lisa Byrd, 57, of Newark, faces 11 counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. She also faces charges of driving under the influence and operating a school bus without a license.

Byrd, who is not a licensed bus driver, bought and took heroin before driving the school bus on a snowy day in Newark, authorities said. She eventually became unconscious, and the bus slowly rolled through an intersection before crashing into a tree, police said. Byrd was revived with Narcan to reverse the effects of the overdose, authorities said. No serious injuries were reported, authorities said.

Byrd stood before Superior Court Judge Ronald Wigler on Wednesday morning in a pink polo. She only spoke to thank the judge and acknowledge the charges. She was represented by public defender Andrew Rojas.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office argued Byrd should remain detained because she’s a danger to the community. Byrd had an envelope of heroin when she was found slumped over the wheel of the school bus and admitted to using the drug, an assistant prosecutor said.

Rojas said Byrd has diabetes and high blood pressure — reasons she was denied a license to operate a bus — and argued she should remain free pending trial.

Ahmed Mahgoub, owner of the bus company, F&A Transportation, told PIX11 he believed Byrd was unconscious because of a medical incident, speculating her blood sugar may have been low. He also told the station she passed all drug tests.

Rojas said while addiction is a serious disease and it does not “excuse the conduct, and we’re fortunate, in fact, that there were no serious injuries,” it does not mean she is a danger or threat to the community.

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Judge Wigler, however, said he couldn’t “think of a much more dangerous situation than a person like yourself who is entrusted to drive young school children home… obtained heroin (and) used heroin, just prior to going to the school to pick up these children and take them home.”

Byrd’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 18. If convicted of a second-degree endangering charge, she could face up to 10 years in prison.

Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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