Fall River woman released on bail after reportedly driving on sidewalk, crashing into school bus

A Fall River woman was arrested and released on bail after police say she drove on the sidewalk and hit a school bus with children aboard.

According to Tiverton Police, on Thursday, at 3:42 p.m., the Tiverton Police Department along with both the Tiverton and Portsmouth Fire Departments responded to the area of Stone Bridge Commons at 1800 Main Road for a multi-vehicle accident involving a school bus. Three vehicles were involved, a 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport, a 1998 Volvo S70 and a 2023 First Student School Bus. In addition to the driver and monitor, the school bus was occupied by eight juvenile students. The operator of the Chevrolet Captiva sustained minor facial injuries. The operator of the Volvo S70 sustained a minor head injury. No adult or juvenile occupants aboard the First Student School Bus sustained any injuries.

Investigation revealed the Chevrolet Captiva was traveling north on Main Road. The Volvo S70 was preparing to exit the Stone Bridge Commons parking lot onto Main Road. The Chevrolet Captiva left its lane of travel and operated on the sidewalk at the right shoulder of the roadway. The Chevrolet Captiva continued north and struck the Volvo S70 at the parking lot entrance / exit to Stone Bridge Commons. The Chevrolet Captiva reentered the northbound travel lane of Main Rd., crossed the center lane divider, and entered the southbound lane where it then struck the front driver side of the First Student School Bus.

The operator of the Chevrolet Captiva was identified as 40-year-old Tanya Amorin, of Fall River. Officers observed her to exhibit indicators of impairment. Amorin said she was unaware she was in Tiverton believing she was in Somerset, MA. Officers observed prescription medication bottles as well as an open alcoholic beverage container inside Amorin’s vehicle. Amorin was arrested for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor / Drugs and later refused an evaluation or any chemical test at police headquarters. Amorin was also cited for Leaving the Lane of Travel- Right Half of Road, Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test – 1st Violation and Refusal to Submit to Preliminary Breath Test. Amorin was arraigned by a bail commissioner and released from police custody on surety bail. Amorin is scheduled to appear in Newport District Court for re-arraignment on November 10th. Notification was made to parents / guardians of students aboard the school bus who subsequently responded to the accident scene and took custody of their children. The accident remains under investigation by Officer Stephen Parrillo.