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Written by: A. Smith
Published September 22, 2025 @ 10:06 AM ET
BARTOW COUNTY, Ga. – A substitute school bus driver was arrested Friday afternoon after deputies observed signs of intoxication while she was transporting students on Bartow County School Bus 116.
At approximately 3:49 p.m., a deputy on patrol received a report that the bus had failed to maintain its lane and that the driver appeared unresponsive. The deputy located the bus traveling north on U.S. 41 at Mac Johnson Road and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.
The bus was eventually stopped on U.S. 411 at the Burnt Hickory Road Connector, where it came to a halt in the middle of the roadway. Deputies made contact with the driver, identified as 51-year-old Lori Rebecca Hagaman of Adairsville. They observed her struggling to engage the air brake and appearing confused.
After Hagaman exited the bus, deputies noted that she was staggering and had difficulty descending the stairs. She denied any medical issues but exhibited slurred speech and hesitated when asked if she had consumed alcohol. Further observations revealed red, watery eyes and a strong odor of alcohol emanating from her.
Hagaman consented to field sobriety tests. During the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, she failed to follow the stimulus for most of the test. In the walk-and-turn test, she placed her right foot on the line instead of her left and began falling backward, prompting deputies to halt the test for her safety. The one-leg stand test was also stopped after she could not maintain the starting position without toppling over.
Deputies handcuffed Hagaman and transported her to the Bartow County Jail without incident. She agreed to a portable breath test but refused the state-administered blood test.
While collecting passenger information from the students on the bus, deputies discovered an insulated cup in the driver’s area cup holder containing what appeared to be an alcoholic beverage.
Parents of students on Bus 116 reported concerning behavior. According to reports, one parent stated that her 9-year-old daughter suspected Hagaman of intoxication during an earlier elementary school route, noting that Hagaman passed bus stops, dropped students at incorrect locations, and made them walk home. Another parent reported that her son described Hagaman swerving out of her lane and nearly colliding with two vehicles.
Hagaman was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in a commercial motor vehicle, possessing an open container, and 29 counts of reckless conduct.
The Bartow County School System released a statement confirming Hagaman’s immediate removal from the assigned route:
No injuries were reported.
Affected families were promptly notified, and alternative transportation arrangements were made to ensure student safety.
The Bartow County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a thorough investigation, and the Bartow County School System is also performing an internal review.
According to jail records, Hagaman remains in custody at the Bartow County Jail.