A Long Island school bus driver, Amal Hanna, who was caught drinking while bringing students home last week will not face charges, as police believe her story that she grabbed a hard seltzer without realizing it was alcoholic. The 60-year-old driver, who is teetotal due to undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, explained that the treatment also leaves her unable to taste if drinks are alcoholic. Hanna, who had been working for the school bus company WE Transport Inc for 15 years, stated that she grabbed a White Claw from the fridge she shares with a roommate in Hauppauge, mistakenly thinking it was a regular fruit-flavored seltzer while driving kids home from Smithtown High School West on Wednesday.

Distraught and in tears, Hanna expressed her fear of ending up homeless without a job while undergoing chemotherapy. She stated, "For people like me that don't drink - how are they going to know this is alcohol?" Hanna pointed out that the can only warned of its alcoholic content in small print. "I have been crying and crying, I don't even have any more tears," she told News 12.

Suffolk County Police Department confirmed that they believe Hanna's story and she will not be charged. However, she was fired from her job at WE Transport Inc, leaving her uncertain about how she will be able to support herself during the chemotherapy. Hanna expressed her love for the children she transported, explaining that seeing them happy going to school made her life happy too.

A parent who spoke to News 12 described Hanna as "so sweet" and always kind to the students. The parent expressed disbelief that she would ever do anything to harm them, stating, "I think it was a very honest mistake."

Smithtown Central School District Superintendent Mark Secaur announced that the drinking driver was immediately removed from the bus and a different driver completed the route. The school district has a zero-tolerance policy for such behavior and reported the incident to Suffolk County police.

In response to the incident, Secaur assured parents that the district prioritizes students' safety. He stated, "Our students' safety is of the utmost importance to the Smithtown Central School District, and we will remain steadfast in our efforts to create a safe environment for all our students." He also emphasized that the district will no longer allow Hanna to transport any Smithtown student.

This incident comes just two weeks after a tragic accident involving a school bus carrying 40 high school band members from another Long Island school district. The bus overturned in upstate New York, resulting in the deaths of two teachers and leaving five students in critical condition. The timing of this incident further highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of students during school transportation.