A witness to the collision called 911 after the bus collided with a tree and a sign, then continued to drive for a short distance before stopping. No one was injured.

A container with alcohol that smelled “fruity” was discovered on Kolodychuk’s bus following the crash. She then provided two breath samples which registered a blood-alcohol level of 200mg.

Crown Prosecutor Ed Ring asked Judge Bert Skinner for a sentence of 30 to 45 days in jail along with a 15-month driving ban and 12 months’ probation.

Kolodychuk’s defence lawyer, Will Wilms, asked that she instead receive a heavy fine in addition to probation, saying Kolodychuk has taken responsibility by pleading guilty and seeking out addiction treatment on her own.

Wilms explained that Kolodychuk began seeking treatment for anxiety issues in Nov. 2016 and had fallen into a pattern of “self-medicating” at the time of the incident.

Wilms also told court that both Kolodychuk and her husband have quit drinking since the June 5 incident.

While Kolodychuk had no prior criminal record and has shown remorse and accountability for her actions, Skinner said he could not overlook the aggravating circumstances in the incident: Kolodychuk’s blood-alcohol level, her refusal to stop after hitting the tree, the number and age of the children aboard the bus, and the harm caused not only to herself but also students, parents, her employer, and the community.

Skinner also noted Kolodychuk committed a significant breach of trust given she was a professional bus driver who was operating a bus while children were on board, adding it was lucky that no children were hurt in the crash.

“[It is] very unlikely the accused will ever see doors of the courthouse again because of her efforts to ensure her issues are appropriately addressed,” Skinner noted.

Red Deer Public Schools Superintendent Stu Henry attended Monday’s sentencing and shared a brief statement afterward:

Three other counts against Kolodychuk – impaired operation of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and fail to remain at the scene of a collision – were dropped in light of her guilty plea.

Kolodychuk will be serving her sentence on weekends starting this Friday.