Driver facing charges for crash on WRTA bus

Editor’s note: This story has been corrected to fix a typo on the plea that was entered. We regret the error.

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – A driver facing OVI and other charges following an investigation of a crash while she was driving a WRTA bus is scheduled to appear in court next month.

WKBN learned that Gloria Steward, 60, has been charged after an investigation of the incident on March 5. She faces charges of OVI, hit-skip in a commercial vehicle, improper passing and lane straddling, according to court records.

WKBN first reported on the incident in March , obtaining video showing the WRTA bus colliding with two vehicles. 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.

An Austintown police report said Steward tested positive on a breathalyzer test, so her blood was also tested. Laboratory results returned on May 19 showed she had a blood-alcohol content of .104, according to a police report. Charges were filed the next day.

The report indicates that her driver’s license was suspended as a result, but her employment status at WRTA is unknown at this time. WRTA said Wednesday that since the OVI case is pending, “comments on any aspects of that case are being deferred until the investigation is complete.”

According to court records, Steward pleaded not guilty to the charges on March 20, and a pretrial is scheduled for 5 p.m. July 8.

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