A 42-year-old Dudley school bus driver was arrested for DUI on Thursday after allegedly crashing the bus he was driving into a utility pole.
At around 3 p.m., officers responded to a school bus crash near 49 Hayden Rd.
Police say they found the bus in the road with wires from a utility pole lying across its roof. The bus had been dropping students from two Dudley schools off when the crash occurred.
None of the 11 students on the bus were injured, according to police.
Police have charged the driver, Scott Poirier, of Dudley, with operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and child endangerment while operating under the influence.
Police say they administered a field sobriety test to the driver and determined he was drunk.
The students, from Shepherd Hill Regional High School and Dudley Middle School, were taken home on another bus.
The driver is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
In a statement, Dudley-Charlton Regional School District Superintendent Gregg Desto said,
Of course, my first concern is the safety of our students and I am grateful that none were injured. I appreciate also the quick response and kindness shown to our students by Dudley Police, Dudley Fire and residents in the area of the accident.
I will not comment on the situation with the driver until all the facts are in, but I will say that we are working closely with the police and with First Student, our transportation provider who employs Mr. Poirier.
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