St. Louis County bus driver arrested for DWI with kids onboard
- A St. Louis County school bus driver was arrested for DWI while driving 17 children to school.
- The driver was reported by a concerned citizen who suspected he was intoxicated before his route.
- The school district is cooperating with authorities and is committed to ensuring student safety despite a bus driver shortage.
On a Wednesday morning in St. Louis County, a school bus driver was arrested for driving under the influence while transporting 17 children. The incident began when a concerned citizen reported the driver, who was suspected of consuming alcohol while off duty, fearing he would not be sober for his morning route. Authorities responded to the tip and contacted the driver at his home, where he falsely claimed he was not working that day. Shortly after, the school district confirmed that the driver was indeed on duty and had started his route. Law enforcement located the bus in the Grand Lake Township area, where the driver was found with the children on board. Fortunately, none of the students reported any injuries during the incident. The driver underwent a preliminary breath test, revealing a blood alcohol content of 0.16, significantly above the legal limit. Minnesota law enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy for alcohol consumption by school bus drivers, which underscores the seriousness of the situation. The driver was subsequently arrested for DWI, and further blood test results are pending. In response to the incident, the St. Louis County School District's Superintendent emphasized their commitment to student safety and cooperation with law enforcement. Despite a shortage of bus drivers, the district is taking necessary measures to ensure safe transportation for students, highlighting the importance of maintaining high safety standards in school transportation.