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School bus driver charged with DWI

On Behalf of | Oct 21, 2016 | Drunk Driving

A 63-year-old North Carolina school bus driver has been suspended from his job and is facing criminal charges of DWI after the bus he was driving crashed into a ditch in Cherokee County. The driver was transporting five children to their elementary school at the time of the crash. Fortunately, there were no injuries.

The driver reportedly radioed to school officials after he backed into the ditch. These officials notified state troopers, concerned that something was amiss. The school superintendent says that it’s standard procedure to notify law enforcement when a bus is in a crash.

The driver reportedly failed several field sobriety tests. Troopers say they noted that the man had slow reaction times and glassy eyes. It was not reported whether he took a Breathalyzer test and, if so, what the results were.

An 11-year-old student on the bus reportedly told his mother that he thought the driver, who had been driving the route for at least two years, was under the influence of something.

The superintendent said they have a “very deep zero tolerance for any situation like that,” and officials say that they may start drug testing their drivers.

A DWI can have a serious impact on anyone’s life and future. However, for people who make their living as a driver, it can mean the end of a career. If you’re facing charges related to driving under the influence, it’s essential to have an experienced North Carolina defense attorney who can properly scrutinize the evidence against you and work to mitigate the impact of the charges against you.

Source: WRCB-TV, “Cherokee County bus driver charged with DWI with kids on board,” Cameron Taylor, Oct. 18, 2016