Driver of Vehicle That Struck T-Town Basketball Bus Pleads Guilty

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 17 for the Mattoon woman whose vehicle struck a Teutopolis school bus in February, injuring several people on board.

36-year-old Scarlett McKinzie pleaded guilty Tuesday to a count of aggravated DUI, a felony offense that could result in prison time. Probation is also an option.

McKinzie's minivan was involved in a crash on Illinois Route 32 at the Bruce-Findlay Road on February 10. Police say the minivan struck the bus, causing the bus to overturn before it skidded to a stop on its side. Seven students on the bus were taken to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Coles County for observation and were then released. McKinzie was taken to a separate hospital to be evaluated.

In exchange for the guilty plea, two other counts of aggravated DUI were dismissed, along with four traffic offenses.