A bus driver accused of intentionally slamming on her brakes to quiet down a group of Panther Valley Middle School students she was transporting will go to trial on charges of reckless endangerment.

Rebecca J. Nicholas, 43, of Coaldale, was arraigned on Wednesday and waived her right to a preliminary hearing.The alleged incident occurred when Nicholas, who worked for a bus contractor, was transporting 23 students to Panther Valley Middle School on the morning of March 12.According to a police affidavit, Nicholas was trying to get the students to quiet down, but they were not cooperating.Students said that she then forcefully applied the brakes in order to bring the bus to an abrupt stop. In the process, 23 students were injured, which resulted in them being sent home for the day.One of the victims' relatives contacted Summit Hill police.Three of those students were at district court on Wednesday ready to testify against Nicholas, as well as the school's nurse and a Panther Valley administrator.Police said that many of the students who were injured were treated by the nurse and released, while others have had to seek out physical therapy in the ensuing months."At this point, they're thankfully getting over the situation, but you can't blame them for any residual effects," Assistant District Attorney Brian Gazo said.Police believe that Nicholas was trying to teach the students a lesson because after applying the brakes, she allegedly said that maybe next time, the students would listen and pay attention when told to be quiet.A camera was in place on the bus, but it was not recording at the time of the incident, Summit Hill Police Chief Joseph Fittos said.However Fittos interviewed all of the students on the bus, and said that many of them confirmed that the comment was made.Nicholas is currently out on $1,000 unsecured bail. She was barred from driving a school bus shortly after the incident.Fittos said that parents should be able to rely on the people who are transporting their children to and from school."They're entrusted with the care of our children. And you don't do stuff like that," he said.