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Local school bus driver arrested on suspicion of DUI, according to school officials

UNIONTOWN, Pa. — A school bus driver in the Laurel Highlands School District was arrested and fired on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to school officials.

Channel 11 learned that on Friday, the bus company conducted random tests and school officials tell us this driver failed a breathalyzer.

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Laurel Highlands superintendent Dr. Jesse Wallace said the driver parks his bus at home and that he was almost home after driving kids to school when he was told to come back.

State police were called to the bus depot, and they took the driver into custody that day.

First Student Bus released a statement to Channel 11 saying:

"At First Student, the safe and reliable transportation of our student passengers is our highest priority. Certainly, we understand and appreciate the concern this has caused. We, too, take this incident very seriously. As such, we can confirm that we have terminated the driver's employment. Given that this is an active investigation, we are unable to comment further."

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The company hasn't said if there were any students on the bus while he was allegedly under the influence, or if he drives for the elementary, middle or high school.

State police said they are investigating, but are waiting for test results to come in before releasing any other information.

We are not releasing the driver's name because while he was arrested on Friday, he has not been charged pending the blood work.

The Laurel Highlands School District also issued a statement Tuesday morning.

"First, we take the health, safety, and welfare of our students as the top priority of the school district. That said, we sub-contract our transportation services to "First Stuent Inc."; likewise, I was informed that one of the drivers presented at the end of the bus run intoxicated and has been terminated. However, the PSP is investigating and it has not been disclosed to the district when the individual began to consume alcohol (prior to or after the bus run). In any event, the individual will not be in the employment of our district moving forward."

-Dr. Jesse Wallace, III

Superintendent

Laurel Highlands School District