Law&Crime Sidebar - Unhinged Florida Mom Crashes into School Bus: 'She's On Something'

Episode Date: October 18, 2025

Florida mom Megan Lee Champion allegedly turned her SUV directly into a school bus earlier this year, all while her 11-year-old daughter was in the front seat. Boynton Beach Police officers believe Champion was under the influence of alcohol or some kind of drugs. Bodycam footage captures the chaotic scene, and as Law&Crime’s Jesse Weber explains, Champion's behavior raises suspicions.PLEASE SUPPORT THE SHOW: Download the SAN app at https://san.com/sidebar  for Unbiased, Straight factsHOST:Jesse Weber: https://twitter.com/jessecordweberLAW&CRIME SIDEBAR PRODUCTION:YouTube Management - Bobby SzokeVideo Editing - Michael Deininger, Christina O'Shea, Alex Ciccarone, & Jay CruzScript Writing & Producing - Savannah Williamson & Juliana BattagliaGuest Booking - Alyssa Fisher & Diane KayeSocial Media Management - Vanessa BeinSTAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LAW&CRIME NETWORK:Watch Law&Crime Network on YouTubeTV: https://bit.ly/3td2e3yWhere To Watch Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/3akxLK5Sign Up For Law&Crime's Daily Newsletter: https://bit.ly/LawandCrimeNewsletterRead Fascinating Articles From Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/3td2IqoLAW&CRIME NETWORK SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawandcrime/Twitter: https://twitter.com/LawCrimeNetworkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawandcrimeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/lawandcrimenetworkTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawandcrimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wondery Plus subscribers can binge all episodes of this Law and Crimes series ad-free right now. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. You never drink at all? No. Really? Yes. I thought you said you'd drink something for a day or not. That was like, no.

You suck. Where the f*** is the straight line? Okay, relax. No, fuck you. All right. 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' body-worn 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 p.m. on Friday, September 5th, and traffic is snarled in Boynton Beach, Florida. And that is when police officers arrived to see a white Lexington. 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 unhurt. 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 champions spoke with police. Now, before the officers got champions side of things, and wait until we get to that, they spoke with witnesses. Uh, which went to, you got to see what I did? Yes, okay. So I was right behind her.

Okay. Okay, so we're coming. There's a bunch of cars. Just wait. Just wait for you. 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 one and this one she 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 shit like I don't need to go here like she's gonna go straight so I was like oh cool maybe she's gonna 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 teabone into half of him. He was already halfway through the intersection. So then I go, I'm like, are you okay? I mean, she's definitely on something. Whatever, that's not my business. But she was all over the room. I was like, dang, is this like a child driving this car right now?

Like, I almost was like, I thought it was a kid. That's how bad was. 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 lex. Texas. 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. Thank you. Are you okay? Huh? You know where you are? How old are you? Do you know where you are? Uh? Where's that up? Where's that up? Okay.

Okay. Okay. I'll be back, okay? Stay over here. You guys know that hurt, right? She's up here. Yeah. Okay.

All right, sit there. I'm going to have the parameter check in you, okay? Okay. Do you know, do you remember what happened at all? Yes. Sure, what happened? Uh, uh, I. I had an accident.

Yeah, how did that happen? Huh? I crossed over. Okay, why did you cross over? Are you going somewhere around here? Yes. Which direction were you? My boyfriend's house.

Okay, all right. Does you live in here? Yes. Okay. 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? We got to tow your car, okay? Because I'll help you. Go ahead, I'll hold that for you. Go ahead and I'll hold it for you. All right, let's walk back this road, okay?

Stay right here, you can stay right here. We'll have an aid for 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? sure you're fine okay okay okay I'm just I'm really serious your daughter is getting checked up right now okay so she's a good hands okay okay okay okay let's walk over here around so we can we walk around around you just go behind so we can

protect you huh can you guide me can I guide you sure okay I can I can I go right right here's fine 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 the way? I have to say something. Even if you're not a journalist, okay, when you look at stories like this, staying on top of what's going on in the world is sort of. so important, especially today. And these days, with all the media bias, the mistrust, it can feel nearly impossible to know what to actually believe, right? That's why I want to introduce you to our sponsor, Straight Hour News. So Straight Hour News is a personalized news platform that empowers readers with unbiased fact-based journalism, reporting that informs and educates

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trustworthy journalism. Did you take anything? No. Because I can tell, ma'am, we can tell that. No, no, I haven't. When's the last time you had to drink? I haven't taken anything. Okay, I'm talking about alcohol.

No, I haven't taken anything. You're still there and answer that question? No, I am answering your question. I haven't taken anything. Okay. Because I, Big and I asked you, you haven't been able to tell me what your address is. Three, six, five, coral tree circle. Um, I, my address, I, uh, my address, I. Not yet. I'm just going to see.

Are you injured anywhere? Are you able to answer that? No, I'm not injured anywhere and I am so sorry. I am trying. I just want to know Megan, if you were taking anything, if you were drinking anything. No. What was last time you had a drink? Like four days ago. Four days ago?

Yes. Where were you coming from? I was picking up my kid and I have not. I'm taking anything and I am so sorry. Yes, for high blood pressure. And that's it? Yes. You can look at my, um, I take medication for high blood pressure.

So, and I, I am so sorry. The reason we were asking these questions here, I understand. You've given us all the indicating that you are under the motions of the substance. I... Now only you're acting very... You're driving, you're driving, um, pattern when you were charging all over the water, according to two people that saw you driving and you passed into the bus. Not only that, I'm just so driven you right now.

You are extremely liturgy. Look like you bite is all asleep. I understand. So to react, your beautiful... I understand in your... Smoling your words, okay? I understand. So if you took, I don't know if you was, I don't know if you was, I don't know, is your alcohol?

I don't, no. You don't drink at all? No. You never drink at all? No. Really? Yes. I thought you said you drank something four days ago.

That was like, no. Okay. Um, but, so, I am telling you, I, I, I... So what did you have to drink? This was a week's ago. Okay, what was it? I am telling you, I don't drink currently.

Okay. And I have been... It took your time. It's okay. We don't want... We just want to make sure you're okay and... Okay. Your pupils are extremely painful. Yes, because I didn't know what you are your pupils?

I am 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 diabetes? Are you diabetic? No. Do you take insulin? No.

Do you have high blood pressure? Yes. Okay. Do you have epilepsy? No. Okay. I do have high blood pressure. I am...

You take high pressure medications? Yes. Okay. And what's the other medication you said you took? Uh, um... I am taking high blood pressure. Yeah. And I...

And I... Okay, when was the last time you see a doctor? 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? Yes.

You mind if you look to see if you have any pumps and everything. You can go and look. You can go and look. Do you know what day it is, what year, any of that stuff? So you're not sure if the air back that you don't know. I'm fine. Do you know what the day's date is? September 4th.

I'm fine. What year it is? 2025. Who's the president? Four. Yeah, see, you're not even, you're having a hard time even answering simple questions. Who's the president? And things get more complicated when children.

champion appears to kind of misinterpret what a paramedic means when he says she refused to go to the hospital. I mean, we are doing a deal on that, but I don't know what she goes. Yeah, I mean, she's refusing. I didn't refuse. No, I know. I asked you if you were okay and if you need a medical treatment, you said you're okay, you're not injured. Either way, we got to take it to the hospital.

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? Hi. What's... Are you injured? I didn't refuse.

Hey, 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 standing right now. No, but he just said, are you injured and I didn't refuse. No.

I'm saying that you said you are not injured. Right. Are you injured? No. Right. That's what we stated. That's why she's asking you. Do you need to go to the hospital?

No. Okay. That's what we established already. So then we are establishing your mental state. So we're asking you questions. What's wrong? They have to make sure. make sure they assess you correctly before.

All they're doing is they just want to make sure you're fine. Do you want to be medically assessed? Do we speak with the view? Yep. They were here because there's traffic coming. What's up? This kind of seems... Collaborated.

Collaborated. What are you talking about? A mommy. Like, really? We'll let us. Take her mind. I'm not understanding what you're saying. I'm trying to help you.

I'm trying to find out what is wrong, like what's going on if you're okay. 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 says she doesn't want to go. So just ask her because, Because would she be willing to do some field sobriety exercise to these folks? Everybody can see it. Yes.

Would we do it over her exercise? So would you be willing to do a field sobriety exercise? Just. So we can, because we believe that you under the influence of the officer. Would you be willing to do some force you besides you? Okay. But as the officers try to figure out where exactly to perform these field sobriety tests, That is when champion seemingly loses it.

Ma'am, come over here a quick. Do you wear glasses? I have contacts. You have contacts now? We're not going to do it here. Yes, we are. No. You don't want to do it?

No. Where would you like to do it? Where's the straight line? Don't worry about that. We'll get to that. No. No. Careful there's...

Hold on the traffic, okay? Where's the straight line? We have... We have a tape. We're gonna put a tape on the ground for the straight line, okay? Let's go. You gotta hold on, where you going? Come over here.

No. Okay. Straight line, let's go. That's the next step. Straight line, let's go. Watch, watch, watch. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Come over here, please.

Oh, oh my God. Let's move over here. Let's move over here. Let's move over here. Can you take my car? Can you take my car, move over here? Ben. Bro.

Straight line. Stop. Straight line. Come on. Hold on. Oh my God! We're done. We're done.

We don't. We don't need to do this. Straight line. Straight line. Straight line. We're done. We're done. Straight line.

Straight line. Straight line. Straight line. We're done. We're done. She's going. Can you put your gloves on? Just pat her down.

Straight line. Where is the straight line? Relax. No. You. Alright. Where the... Relax.

Relax. Where the... Where the... What is the straight line? Where the... Where the... ...is the straight line. Okay.

Let's make sure she designs anything in the park. No. Oh, you want to feel me up? You want to feel me up? You want to feel me up? Have a seat, man. I don't know. Oh, God.

I have a seat. I have a seat. I have a seat. Megan. Have a seat. Just have a seat. Why? Just have a seat.

Why? Why? You're going to hurt yourself. Have a seat. Why? Stop resisting. You're going to hurt yourself. Why?

You got it? Call it out online. Take 15. Watch your head, please. Take 14. Singapore 10. 10. 10.5.

515. White female. What's the reference? reference. Signal one. All right. 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 Champion's X, so the 11-year-old's father, isn't even in the state. You saw the way she's active. We didn't do anything, but I understand what you're telling me, too, so I get it. I'm not disagreeing with any of you guys who are doing. Okay. All right. All right.

You have the, where's the little kids? She's still in the animals. Okay, we have their parents coming to pick him up. He's in Delaware. Delaware? Okay. 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. I'm not doing anything. Step out. Stay right here.

Dude. 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 guilty 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, quote,

willfully refusing to sign and accept the traffic summons, 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. You can binge all episodes of this long crime series ad free right now on Wondery Plus. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.