Unhinged Florida Mom Crashes into School Bus: 'She's On Something'

Did you never drink at all? >> No. >> Really? >> Yes. >> I thought you said you drank something 4. days ago. >> That was like. No, >> you guys are taking. >> You suck. >> Where the is the stream? >> Okay, relax. Relax. >> No you. >> All right. >> Police believe this Florida mom was. under the influence of something when. she allegedly turned across traffic and. directly into a school bus. and her. behavior after the crash, all caught on. officers bodywn cameras. That is going.

to test police to their limit. Welcome. to Sidebar, presented by Law and Crime. I'm Jesse Weber. It's just after 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 5th, and traffic is snarled in. Boon Beach, Florida. And that is when. police officers arrive to see a white. Lexus SUV. smashed up at an intersection after. colliding with the side of a school bus. Now, here's the good news. There were no. students. There were no children on the. bus at that time. And the driver was.

unheard. So, that's the good news. Now, the woman driving this SUV, identified. as 38-year-old Megan Lee Champion, had. her 11-year-old daughter in the car with. her. This is according to body camera. footage from the scene. Paramedics. arrived. They checked the child out, and. this is all while Champion spoke with. police. Now, before the officers got. Champions side of things, and wait till. we get to that, they spoke with. witnesses. >> Uh, which one did which do you guys see. what happened? >> Yeah. Okay. >> She's going to talk to you over here.

>> Okay. >> So, I was right behind her. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, we're coming. There's a bunch. of. >> car. and they're all like trying to get. around her and she's like keeps kind of. swerving lanes and then I was like, man, is there I literally at one point was. like, is this a kid driving? Because. this was like like ridiculous. And then. all of a sudden like I'm coming up. I. live in here so I'm trying to turn in. here but I'm waiting. >> Which lane was she in? >> Between this one and this one was like. Yeah. And then the cars kept trying to. go around her. And then by the time we. got here I was the last one behind her. and I was like well I have to turn. So.

I'm just waiting for her to get out of. the way. She comes into this lane like. she's like oh like I don't need to go. here. Like she needs going to go. straight. So I was like oh cool. Maybe. she's going to go that way and go that. way. Whatever. But she came up this way. and then she just turned left like a. sharp left and tried to like gun it. But. he was already halfway through. She. t-boned into half of him. He was He was. already halfway through the. intersection. So then I go I'm like, "Are you okay?" I mean, she's definitely. not something. Whatever. That's not my. business. But she was all over the road. I was like, "Dang, is this like a child. driving this car right now?" Like I.

almost was like, "God, it was a kid. That's how bad.". >> Now, the second witness relayed. basically the exact same story. And at. that point, the officers approached. Champion, who was still sitting behind. the wheel of the Lexus. Champion tells. first responders that she was turning. left on her way to her boyfriend's home. with her daughter when this wreck. happened. But Champion kind of seems. confused, kind of slow to respond to the. officer's questions. So they suspect, you know what, she might be under the. influence of something, whether that be. from alcohol, drugs, something else.

It's kind of unclear. >> Hello. >> Hi. >> Thank you. Are you okay? >> Huh? >> I'll get back to you. >> You know where you are? How old are you? >> You know where you are, >> huh? >> Where's that at? >> Okay. >> Okay. I'll be back. Okay. Stay over. here. You guys know that hurt, right?

>> Yeah. She's She's imperial. >> Yep. >> Okay. All right. Sit down. I'm going to. have the paramedic check on you. Okay. >> All right. Do you know Do you remember. what happened at all? >> Yes. >> Sure. What happened? Uh, I had an. accident. >> Yeah. How did that happen? >> Huh? >> I crossed over. >> Okay. Why? Why did you crossed over? Are. you going somewhere around here or? >> Yes. >> Which direction? >> My boyfriend's house. >> Okay. All right. Uh, does he live in.

here? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, are you injured? >> No. >> No, you're not hurt. You want to go to. the hospital? Okay, >> ma'am. >> Can you step out for a second? >> Because we got to throw your car. Okay, >> I'll help you. >> Go ahead. I'll hold that for you. Take a. picture. >> Go ahead and I'll hold it for you. All right, let's walk back this way. Okay, stay sit right here. You can stay. right here.

Control. >> Okay, nothing hurting you. No, no leg. injuries. You didn't hit your head? I. don't see any visible injuries, so I'm. just making sure you're fine. Okay. >> No, I'm fine. >> Okay. >> I just Are you serious? >> Your daughter's getting checked up right. now. Okay. So, she's she's in good. hands. Okay. >> Okay. Um, can we uh let's let's walk. over here around so we can so people. don't hit you. Okay. Can we walk around. around your just go behind you so we can.

protect you from. >> Can you guide me? >> Huh? >> Can you guide me? >> Can I guide you? Sure. Okay. I can do right here. Right. Right right. here is fine. Okay. >> Something to point out here. It appears. that the male officer is helping train. the female officer, gives her some tips. on how to handle the situation, explains. what the next steps will be, and the. pair try to work out what might be. causing Champion's behavior and her. reaction to the crash. But they don't. get very far. >> Talk to me. What's going on?

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or just click the link in my. description. Straight hour news. You. skip the drama, you get the facts. Welcome back to Trustworthy Journalism. Hi. >> Did you take anything? >> No. >> What? Cuz I can tell, ma'am. We can tell. that. >> No. No. I haven't. >> When was the last time you had a drink? I haven't taken anything. >> Okay. What alcohol? I'm talking about. alcohol.

>> No, I haven't taken anything. >> They still didn't answer my question. >> No, I am answering your question. I. haven't taken anything. >> Okay, Megan, I asked you. You haven't. been able to tell me what your address. is. >> 3. 655. Coral Tree Circle. Um. I. my address I.

>> not yet. I'm just going to see. >> Are you injured anywhere? Can you Are. you able to answer that? >> Are you injured? >> I'm not injured anywhere and I am so. sorry. I am trying. >> I just want to know Megan if you were. taking anything. You were drinking. anything? When was the last time you had. a drink? >> Uh, like 4 days ago. >> 4 days ago.

>> Yes. >> Where were you coming from? >> I have not I was picking up my kid and. I have not I'm taking anything. >> and I am so sorry. >> Prescription medications. >> Yes. For high blood pressure. >> and that's it. >> Yes. >> Not using any uh. >> Yes. You can look at my um I take. medication for high blood pressure and I.

I am so sorry. >> The reason we we're asking you these. questions here because. >> I understand. >> you've given us all the indicating that. you are under. >> not only you acting very you're driving. your driving um pattern when you were. driving all over the world I put into. two people that saw you driving and you. crashed into the bus Not only that, I'm. just observing you right now. You are. extremely determined. You look like. you're about to fall asleep. >> I understand. >> Slow to react. Your eyes.

>> understand. your words. Okay. >> That's why I'm asking you all this. question. So, >> if you took I don't know if if he was I. don't know if you alcohol. >> I don't you don't drink at all? >> No. >> You You never drink at all? >> No. >> Really? >> Yes. I thought you said you drank. something 4 days ago. >> That was like. No. >> Um but. >> so so.

>> I am telling you I. >> So what did you have to drink? >> This was weeks ago. >> Okay. What What was it? I am telling you. I don't drink currently. >> and I have been. >> I. don't we don't want we don't want we. just want to make sure you're okay and. okay your pupils are extremely simple.

>> Yeah. >> Yes. I didn't know any other. >> your pupils. >> I. trying. to. >> Do you have anything that's supposed to. have in your car? >> No, there's nothing in my car. I'm not. worried about that. >> Do you have a diabetic? Are you. diabetic? >> No. >> Do you take insulin? >> No. >> Do you have high blood pressure? >> Yes. >> Okay. Good. Uh do you um have epilepsy?

No. >> Okay. >> I do have high blood pressure. I I am. >> You take bad blood pressure medications? >> Yes. >> Okay. And what else? What what's the. other medication you said you took? >> Uh um. I am taking I bid for him. >> and I.

Okay. Um, when was the last time you see. a doctor? >> I don't. >> Oh. Um, less than a week ago. >> So, you didn't hit your head at all. today, right? In the crash. >> Maybe. >> And when the airbag deployed, did you. hit your head? You mind if I look? >> You mind if I look to see if you have. any bumps and everything? You can go. ahead and look. Look. Does she know what day it is, what year,

any of that stuff, or. >> So, you're not sure if they're back at. you. >> Do you know what today's date is? >> Uh, September 4th. >> I'm what year it is? >> 2025. >> Who's the president? >> Four. >> Oh, >> yeah. See, you're you're you're not even. you're having a hard time even answering. simple questions. >> Who's the president? I. >> and things get more complicated when. Champion appears to kind of misinterpret. what a paramedic means when he says she.

refused to go to the hospital. >> I mean, we we are doing a DUI honor, but. I don't know what what she does. >> Yeah. I mean, she's refusing. >> I didn't refuse. Either way, we asked. you if you were okay and if you needed. medical treatment. You said you you were. okay. You're not injured. >> I refuse. >> Either way, we got to take her to the. hospital. But. >> I didn't refuse, >> man. I stated that you said that you. were not injured. You told us you have. no injuries. >> Are you injured?

>> I. What's. >> Are you injured? >> I didn't refuse. >> Okay. Did you listen to questions that. she asked me? >> He asked you. Are you injured? Are you. injured? >> No. >> Okay. So, that's basically what he's. stating right now that you. >> No, but he just said, "Are you injured?". And I didn't refuse. >> No. Okay. I saying that you said you are. not injured. [Music]. >> Right. Are you injured? >> No. >> Okay. >> Right. That's that's what we say. >> That's what she That's what he's asking.

you. Do you need to go to the hospital? >> No. >> Okay. That's what that's what we. established already. So then we. establishing your mental state. So we're. asking you questions. >> What's wrong? Talk to me. >> Doing this in a They have to make sure. they assess you pull correctly before. >> All they're doing is they just want to. make sure you're fine.

>> You want to be medically assessed. >> Can we speak? >> They were here cuz there's traffic. coming. Um, >> this kind of seems. >> Are you going to take her in yours? >> Collaborated. What are you talking. about?

>> Mommy, really won't let us take her. >> I'm not understanding what you're. saying. >> I'm trying to help you. I'm trying to. find out what if like what's going on, >> if you're okay. They all they want to do. is they just want to make sure you're. medically okay. >> So, >> and I'm just trying to find out. >> She said she doesn't want to go. So, just ask her. >> because would she do? >> No. Would she be willing to do some. field sobriety exercise to go? Because.

you believe everybody can see. >> Yes. >> Um would we do it over she wants to do. it? So, um would you be willing to do a. field sobriety uh exercise? Um just. >> so we can cuz we believe that you under. the influence of Would you be willing to. do some field? >> Okay. >> But as the officers try to figure out. where exactly to perform these field. sobriety tests, that is when Champion. seemingly loses it. >> Uh ma'am, come over here real quick.

>> Do you wear glasses? I have contacts. >> You have contacts now? No. >> All right. >> We're not going to do it here. >> Yes, we are. >> No. >> We can't eat it. >> No. >> You don't want to do it? >> No. >> Where would you like to do it? >> Where Where's the straight line? >> Don't worry about that. We'll get to. that. >> No. Careful. There's. >> Hold on. Don't go in the traffic. Okay. >> Like, where's the straight line? >> We have We have a tape. We're going to.

put a tape on the ground for the. straight line. Okay. You got to You got. to hold on. Where you going? Come over. here. >> No. >> Okay. >> Straight line. Let's go. >> That's that's that's the next step. >> Straight line. Let's go. >> Watch. Come over here, please. >> Oh. Oh my god. >> Let's go over here. Let's move over. here. Let's move over here. >> Move my car. Can you take my car? Move. over here, ma'am. >> Go back in here. Stop, >> bro. Straight line.

>> Stop. >> Straight line. Come on. >> Hold on. Hold on. >> Oh my god. >> We're done. >> We don't need to do this. This is. conclusion. >> Straight line. Straight line. >> We're done. >> We're done. Hey, we're going to we're. going to go to the hospital. >> Straight line. Straight line.

We're done. So, she's going. >> Can you put your gloves on? Just pat it. down. >> Straight line. Where the is the straight. line? >> Okay, relax. Relax. >> No. >> All right. >> Where the. >> Relax Street? Where the is the straight. line? >> Where the. >> is the straight line?

>> Okay. Make sure there's not anything in. the pocket. >> Oh, you want to fill me up? >> You want to fill me up? >> All right. Have a seat, man. >> No. >> Have a seat. >> Have a seat. Have a seat. Come on, >> Megan. >> Have a seat. >> Just have a seat. >> Have a seat. >> Have a seat. >> Why? >> Just have a seat. >> Hawaii. >> Hawaii. >> Have a seat. You're going to hurt. yourself. Have a seat. Have a seat. >> Hawaii. Hey, just stop resisting. Just.

You're going to hurt yourself. >> Why. you got it? >> Yeah. >> Call it out online, sir. 105. >> Watch your head, please. >> Single 14. >> 10. 10. >> 10. >> Signal one. >> What's the reference? >> Signal one. With Champion now safely in the back of. the patrol car, one of the officers. walks to the other side of the. intersection to speak with her boyfriend.

who's made his way down to the crash. scene. And according to him, she got. some bad news or some sort of bad news. this morning. It's kind of unclear what. exactly was learned because it was muted. on the body cam audio, but just put that. into context. So, the officer also. learns from him that Champions X, so the. 11-year-old's father, isn't even in the. state. >> You saw the way she's acted. We we. didn't do anything, but I understand. what you're telling me, too. So, I. >> I'm not I'm not disagreeing with any you. guys are doing. >> Okay. >> All right. All right. Um, >> you have the Where's the little kid? >> She's still on the. >> Okay. We have their parents coming to.

come to pick him up. He's in Delaware. >> Delaware. >> Yeah. >> So, the officers, they managed to get. him on the phone and they get permission. for the girl's aunt to pick her up at. the hospital where she got checked out. When the officer gets back to the patrol. car just a couple minutes later, this is. when it appears that Champion has. slipped out of her cuffs in the back. seat. >> Not doing anything. Step out. >> Stay right here. Stay right here. >> Bruce, I didn't literally do anything. I.

was just telling you I. According. to an arrest report, at one point during. this tussle with the male officer, Champion allegedly tried to bite him. So, she's taken to the Palm Beach County. Jail. An officer tries to get her to. perform a breath test as well as a urine. test, but she reportedly refused. Palm. Beach County online court records show.

the champion had entered a not-uilty. plea to three charges: driving under the. influence causing property damage or. injury enhanced careless driving and. failure to yield right of way while. turning. The arrest report indicates. that Champion also refused to sign a. citation that had her court date on it. So, she was also charged with quotefully. refusing to sign and accept a traffic. summon, but according to court records, the prosecutor dropped that charge. This. case is still ongoing. Status check is. next scheduled for November 20th. That's.

all we have for you right now here on. Sidebar, everybody. Thank you so much. for joining us and as always, please. subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcast, Spotify, wherever you should get your. podcasts. You can follow me on X or. Instagram. I'm Jesse Weber. I'll see you. next time. [Music].