CULVER — A St. Louis County school bus driver was arrested early Tuesday, Sept. 4, for driving while intoxicated.
A concerned citizen contacted law enforcement about the 44-year-old driver, who was drinking while off duty. The citizen was concerned that the driver would not be sober in time for his route.
A news release from the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office said deputies contacted the driver just after 6 a.m., and he said he was not working Tuesday. The school district was notified of the incident, and shortly after 7 a.m., deputies learned the driver was working and had started his route.
The school bus was pulled over on Independence Road in Saginaw with 17 children on board, and the driver was arrested.
The school district sent out staff to take custody of the bus and children, who were students at South Ridge School in Culver. They also notified parents of the incident.
The driver was booked in the St. Louis County Jail pending two second-degree DWI charges.
According to the Sheriff's Office, a preliminary breath test result showed his blood alcohol content was .16.
According to state law, there is zero tolerance for a person to be under the influence of any amount of alcohol while operating a school bus.
Court records show the driver was previously convicted of DWI in 2005.
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