A Maple Lake, Minnesota school bus driver was under the influence of alcohol while dropping off students Thursday, according to newly filed charges.
Court documents state that a Wright County deputy learned of the situation after a student told a Maple Lake Public Schools resource officer that the bus driver smelled of alcohol.
According to the complaint, the 55-year-old driver was dropping students off along County Road 8 and in Silver Lake Township. The school resource officer contacted the bus company, M&M Bus Service, which sent a replacement driver. The 55-year-old was taken to the company’s garage, where a Wright County deputy met with him.
The deputy reported that the man smelled of alcohol and had watery eyes. The driver denied drinking but claimed he had taken NyQuil earlier in the day, according to the complaint.
A preliminary breath test reportedly showed a blood alcohol concentration of .082, above the legal limit in Minnesota.
The driver is charged with one count of child endangerment and three counts of operating a motor vehicle under the influence.
In a message to families, Maple Lake Superintendent Mike Rowe said that as soon as the district learned of the driver’s alleged impairment, “steps were taken to ensure students were cared for and transported safely.”
“All students are safe, and M&M Bus Service has informed the district that the driver has been removed from duty effective immediately and a police investigation is taking place,” Rowe wrote.
WCCO has reached out to M&M Bus Service for comment.
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