August 19th, 2026 Local News
Jefferson Co., Mo. (KFMO) - A former Dunklin R-5 School District bus driver is facing 37 felony charges after authorities say she consumed alcohol before transporting students on a school bus route in Jefferson County earlier this year.
According to a probable cause statement filed by the Festus Police Department, the incident occurred on February 6, 2026 in Herculaneum. Herculaneum Police contacted Festus authorities after receiving information about a suspected impaired school bus driver.
Investigators allege that Dawna L. Brennan consumed alcohol shortly before driving a Dunklin R-5 school bus carrying approximately 40 students. A breath test administered by Herculaneum Police at approximately 3:20 p.m. reportedly showed a blood alcohol content of 0.029 percent, below the legal limit of 0.04 percent for commercial vehicle operators.
Authorities say Brennan admitted to drinking half a bottle of beer prior to driving the bus. A second breath test administered by a Festus police officer after 4 p.m. reportedly registered 0.00 percent.
Court documents state investigators obtained surveillance footage from the Herculaneum Parks and Recreation Department that allegedly showed Brennan consuming alcohol in the Kade's Playground parking lot before beginning her afternoon routes.
The responding officer reported smelling alcohol on Brennan and observing signs of impairment. Authorities also noted that Brennan provided a list of medications she was taking, several of which could potentially intensify the effects of alcohol.
Police arrested Brennan at the scene because 37 of the 40 passengers on board were under the age of 17. She was transported to a hospital for additional blood testing. Results from that test were not included in the court documents.
The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney's Office has charged Brennan with 37 counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child and one count of driving while intoxicated. Court records do not currently list a court appearance date.
According to court documents, investigators believe Brennan may have operated a school bus under similar circumstances on at least two occasions during January.
Dunklin R-5 District officials said the district received information suggesting Brennan may have been drinking while on duty. District officials were able to intervene before she transported elementary students.
Following the incident, Brennan was immediately terminated from her position.
In a statement released this week, the district said the former employee passed all required pre-employment background checks, including a review of her driving record. District officials emphasized that while the reported blood alcohol level was below the legal limit for commercial drivers, the district maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy because any amount of alcohol can impair judgment.
The district also confirmed that parents of affected students were notified following the February incident and stated that student safety remains its highest priority.