UPDATE: First Court Date Set For Woman Facing Child Abuse Charges Following School Bus Crash In Alexander County

Sarah Obeid, Caryn Little,

UPDATE: 12/19:

56-year-old Kimberly Austin, the Taylorsville woman accused of being impaired and crashing into a school bus in Alexander County, is being held at the Alexander County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond.

There is a first appearance date scheduled for Jan. 28, 2019 in Alexander County District Court.

The Latest:

Kimberly Austin, the Taylorsville woman accused of being impaired and crashing into a school bus in Alexander County, is now facing two child abuse charges.

The Alexander County Sheriff’s Office says Austin had just dropped off one of her grandchildren at school and had another grandchild in her vehicle when the accident happened.

Austin was charged with driving while impaired a short time after the crash that injured more than a dozen students. Read below for full details on the crash.

Update:

Officials say all the students, except two, have been released from area hospitals.  The two students who were later transported to Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem are in stable condition.

Original Story:

ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — Several students were rushed to the hospital after a school bus overturned in Alexander County and now a woman is facing charges connected to the crash.

Troopers say they have charged Kimberly Austin, 56, of Taylorsville with driving while impaired and driving left of center.  Austin is accused of driving her vehicle across the center line and colliding with the bus.

Troopers say a blood test was conducted and the results are currently pending.  The case, as well as the results of the blood test, will be reviewed in consultation with the District Attorney’s Office to determine if further charges are warranted.

Austin was cited and allowed to remain at the hospital for medical treatment, according to a statement from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Troopers say the collision between a West Alexander Middle School bus and Austin’s vehicle occurred around 7:30 a.m. on Monday on Icard Ridge Road and Bulldog Lane.

Nineteen students were on the bus and 13, including the bus driver, were transported to area hospitals.

Troopers are investigating what led up to the crash.  Check back for updates.