(TRAPPE, MD) — A commercial bus driver transporting school children back from a field trip was arrested by Maryland State Police Wednesday night in Talbot County and charged with driving under the influence.
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. Wednesday, 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.
