Bend School Bus Driver Arrested for DUII After Completing Route

Sheila Miller says the driver was under the influence and had been transporting students earlier that day.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:49pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a car key fob against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the investigation into the school bus driver incident.A recent incident involving an impaired school bus driver has raised urgent questions about student safety and district oversight.Bend Today

A Bend-La Pine Schools bus driver was arrested on April 3 on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants and reckless endangering after completing a bus route. The 67-year-old driver, Martha Ann Gerlicher, had been transporting students earlier that day before a transportation employee suspected she was impaired and removed her from the bus. Gerlicher tested positive for high levels of alcohol at a private facility and was later found to have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.16% when detained by police, well above Oregon's legal limit of 0.08%.

Why it matters

The incident raises serious concerns about student safety and the district's ability to ensure its bus drivers are fit to transport children. While no students were harmed, the situation caused distress for families and the broader community.

The details

According to Bend Police communications manager Sheila Miller, the transportation employee initially called police around 6:45pm to report that Gerlicher was under the influence after responding to her call about issues with the bus brakes. The employee removed Gerlicher from the bus at High Desert Middle School, where she had arrived to begin another route after completing one earlier at Pine Ridge Elementary. Gerlicher was then taken to a private testing facility where she tested positive for high alcohol levels. After being driven home by an acquaintance, Bend police later detained Gerlicher at her residence, where a test at 11pm found her blood alcohol concentration was 0.16%.

  • On April 3, police received the initial call around 6:45pm.
  • Gerlicher had completed a route at Pine Ridge Elementary earlier that afternoon.
  • Gerlicher arrived at High Desert Middle School around 3:15pm to begin another route.
  • Gerlicher was tested at a private facility and then detained by police at 11pm the same day.

The players

Martha Ann Gerlicher

A 67-year-old Bend-La Pine Schools bus driver who was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants and reckless endangering after completing a bus route.

Sheila Miller

The Bend Police communications manager who provided details about the incident.

Bend-La Pine Schools

The school district that employed Gerlicher and placed her on leave pending further action.

Scott Maben

The Director of Communications for Bend-La Pine Schools who stated the district has zero tolerance for behavior that endangers student safety.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The safety of students is always our top priority. The District has zero tolerance for behavior that endangers the wellbeing of children.”

— Scott Maben, Director of Communications, Bend-La Pine Schools

What’s next

The district has placed Gerlicher on leave pending further action, and Bend police are continuing their investigation into the incident.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical importance of ensuring school bus drivers are fit to transport students and the need for robust safety protocols to protect children. The district's swift response in removing the driver and contacting authorities is commendable, but the incident raises broader questions about driver screening, monitoring, and accountability measures.