School Bus Driver Charged with Texting While Driving

A school bus driver sent and received 1,068 texts while driving special needs students, police said.

Evelyn Guzman, 47, of Henry Avenue, Stratford, was arrested today on a warrant charging her with second-degree reckless endangerment and risk of injury to a minor.

The arrest is the culmination of a 10-month investigation by Det. Kevin Hammel that began with an assault complaint, said Deputy Police Chief Michael Harry, department spokesman.

On May 25, 2010, Hammel began an assault investigation regarding a monitor accused of hurting a special needs student that occurred on a First Student Bus.  The suspect in that case, Jennifer Davila, was subsequently arrested on a warrant. She is free on bond and her case is pending.

During the investigation, the officer saw Guzman texting while driving the bus, police said.

Video footage that police obtained from the bus company showed that between April 6, 2010 and May 15, 2010, Guzman sent out and received a total of 1,068 text messages, according to police.

"Due to the volume of text messages sent and received, an arrest warrant was obtained for the risk of injury and reckless endangerment charges," police said.

Guzman was released on $1,500 bond and is scheduled to appear March 25 in Bridgeport Superior Court.