Lower Hudson Valley Bus Driver Drove Drunk With Children, Police
A lower Hudson Valley school bus driver was due in court after he was accused of driving drunk with a bus full of students.
On Dec. 9, New York State Police troopers responded to help emergency medical service personnel at the Somers Central School District School bus garage for reports of a possible stroke. The school district was notified by a parent that bus driver William Mendez, 61, of Somers was acting strange.
There were 44 children on board at the time, grades 3 through 5, ABC reports.
The Somers Central School District Director of Transportation immediately called Royal Coach Lines Somers Dispatch to have the driver cease operations and drove to the bus' location, where he was met by two Royal Coach employees. Mendez was relieved of his duties and later transported to Northern Westchester Hospital for evaluation by Somers Volunteer Fire Department Ambulance Corp.
State Police then began investigating the incident with the cooperation of the Somers Central School District. With the help of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, a search warrant was signed to obtain a biological sample from Mendez.
Lab analysis was completed and revealed Mendez’s blood alcohol content was 0.22%, police say.
Mendez was subsequently arrested for operating a school bus with children under sixteen-years-old on board while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. He wa charged with aggravated DWI Leandra's Law, a felony.
Mendez was arraigned before the town of Somers Court, and released on his own recognizance to reappear before the Court on Monday.
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