The driver is identified as Joseph R. Johnson, 45, of Dover, Delaware. He is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Additional charges may be placed as the investigation continues.
At about 5:30 p.m. today, the Maryland State Police Easton Barrack received a 911 call from a citizen who was following a commercial bus eastbound on Rt. 50 and said the bus was weaving all over the road. As troopers were en route to intercept the bus, another call was received from a parent chaperone on the bus. The parent said due to the bus driver’s erratic driving, the adults on the bus had insisted he pull to the shoulder and wait for the troopers to arrive. The charter bus, owned by Dawson Tour Bus Services, Inc., of Camden, Delaware, stopped on eastbound Rt. 50 west of Porpoise Creek Road, in Trappe.
Upon arrival, the trooper conducted an investigation and based on observations and evidence, took Johnson into custody. He was taken to the Easton Barrack for additional testing and was ultimately charged with DUI. The Maryland State Police does not release results of blood alcohol testing prior to trial.
The driver had been transporting 30 children and ten adults back to Bennett Middle School in Wicomico County. The students were returning from a field trip to Calvert Cliffs.
A sober driver from the commercial bus company was summoned to the scene. While the children were waiting, a trooper assigned to the Aviation Command treated them all to pizza he purchased and delivered to the scene along the shoulder of Rt. 50.
All of the children and adults have been returned to the school safely.
Probably one of those "Ride home from work Drinkers", that buy the individual cans so many stores and gas stations love to sell.
ReplyDeleteAnd y'all worried about the muslims.....the real threat is a lot closer to home!
ReplyDeleteAnon 1:06 AM, Are you living in a cave? Danger is everywhere.
DeleteHow cool was it that the trooper bought the kids pizza. Another everyday unsung hero. Great job MSP!!! And yes I have gotten stopped and ticketed by MSP and still consider them hero's!!!
ReplyDeletekudos to the MSP!!!
ReplyDeleteMust be a liberal.
ReplyDeletegoodbye CDL
ReplyDeleteThey question I have is why are we hiring buses from another state? Don't the local bus drivers/owners need more money? If not then we pay them to much. Which we do. They should not be turning down trips. They should be on a cycle. All of them take turns driving our kids. And if none were available then go to Somerset or Dorchester someace local! Help our economy. Seriously. Have you seen a Delaware bus? Nasty and dangerous looking. Our busses are in good working order because Maryland has higher standards. I Think we need answers here. Why aren't our own busses transporting our children?
ReplyDelete