The mother of a man accused of driving drunk and hitting a school bus in Mastic Beach Thursday admitted to News 12 Long Island exclusively that her son was indeed drunk.

Police say Malik Smith, 20, ran a stop sign on Cypress Drive, hitting a bus carrying a bus matron and two special needs students. The children and bus driver weren?t hurt, but the matron, Paula Cornell, injured both of her legs. Cornell says seconds before the impact she was out of her seat protecting a boy in a wheelchair.

Smith?s mother Sophie made the admission of her son?s drunkenness at his arraignment Friday. Smith pleaded not guilty to DWI and other charges.