A school van driver allegedly drove drunk with children in New Bedford

A school bus driver was arrested in New Bedford on Tuesday for allegedly driving a school van under the influence of alcohol, authorities said.

State police arrested Rebecca Shing of Somerset on Tuesday around 2:30 p.m., according to court records. According to a statement of fact filed in court, a passerby allegedly saw the van enter and exit the meridian and emergency lanes several times as it traveled southbound on Route 140.

Police said that before they arrived, the van had been stopped and Shing was standing outside the vehicle. The statement said there were five passengers in the van, one 18-year-old student and four children. Transportation service H&L Bloom, which its LinkedIn says employs Shing, did not respond to requests for comment.

According to police, Shing allegedly had glassy and bloodshot eyes, was unable to stand and had a “strong odor of alcohol” on her breath. Police say Shing told officers she had taken one and a half doses of Suboxone, a drug used to treat opium addiction, earlier in the day.

Court records show that troopers administered three different field sobriety tests, all of which Shing allegedly failed. After the tests, Shing took a breathalyzer test, which, according to officers, showed a reading of 0.15, exceeding the legal limit of 0.8.

Shing is charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle, trespassing and child endangerment while driving under the influence.

On Wednesday, Shing’s representative filed a motion for acquittal in court. Court records show Shing has defaulted on bail and is being held in the Bristol County Jail. Shing’s lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Eva Levin is a general assignment co-op for Boston.com. Covering breaking and local news from Boston and beyond.

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