51-year-old Kimberly Ogorek of Bear, Del. later told police she swerved to avoid hitting a raccoon.
It happened at 8:32 a.m. Thursday on eastbound Cox Neck Road west of Clarks Corner Road in New Castle.
Police say Ogorek was transporting thirty 5- to 12-year-olds to Southern Elementary School when she lost control, veered off the road and hit a mailbox and a guy wire supporting a utility pole.
Investigators say she then regained control of the bus and kept going, dropping the students off at school.
Some of the students suffered minor injuries.
Investigators say Ogorek was under the influence of prescription medication at the time.
Ogorek was charged with driving under the influence of a drug, leaving the scene of an accident, failing to report an accident, failing to remain in a single lane, and thirty counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
She was released on $17,000 unsecured bail.
