On Nov. 15 at 3:10 p.m., officers responded to a crash involving three vehicles, one of which was a school bus, in the 200 block of Jolly Pond Road. Phyllis Poole, a 59-year-old resident of James City County, was observed exhibiting behavior consistent with driving under the influence. Upon her refusal to cooperate and clear signs of intoxication, officers arrested Poole on suspicion of DUI. The preliminary investigation revealed that Poole pulled into a residential driveway and struck a parked vehicle; the collision caused the parked car to hit a utility pole. Moments later, Poole rapidly reversed out of the driveway and collided with a school bus behind her, totaling her vehicle.
The involved school bus was transporting students from Lois Hornsby Middle School, traveling eastbound toward Centerville Road. Seven student passengers were evaluated by JCC medics at the scene - none required hospitalization. Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools officials responded quickly, ensuring the safe transfer of students, and parents were immediately notified.
Poole was initially taken to Riverside Doctors’ Hospital before being transferred to the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail. Poole has been charged with:
- § 18.2-266 Driving Under the Influence
- § 18.2-137(B) Destruction of Property
Media Contact:
Tayleb Brooks, PR and Special Projects Administrator
757-592-5618; tayleb.brooks@jamescitycountyva.gov