Police arrest Detroit bus driver after crash

Driver suspected of drunken driving after crash, leaving scene

7/16/2014

DETROIT — A Detroit bus driver has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after he struck a parked car and drove away with two passengers aboard, police said today.

The car was struck Tuesday night on the city’s east side, The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press reported. According to police, a man and his 3-year-old son were on the bus when it crashed. They later disembarked and called 911. No serious injuries were reported.

Wayne State University police stopped the Detroit Department of Transportation bus. The driver’s name wasn’t immediately released, pending possible charges.

A preliminary breath test showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.20 percent, exceeding Michigan’s threshold of 0.08 percent, police said. In Michigan, drivers with a 0.17 percent level are considered “super drunk,” which is punishable by stiffer penalties upon conviction.

In a statement, DDOT Director Dan Dirks said the driver is suspended without pay pending further investigation and additional disciplinary action, which could include firing.

“We are deeply concerned over the alleged actions of one of our drivers,” Dirks said. “The safety of our passengers and the public is our highest priority.”