Image Credit: KCSO & @KnoxSchools / X
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
A Knox County Schools bus driver was arrested last week after it was suspected that he was driving students while under the influence.
Matthew Leveque of Knoxville was a contractor with Lynch Bus Lines and was driving for Knox County Schools.
According to the Knoxville Police Department, they were “alerted of potential issues by Knox County School Security Staff.” After responding to Holston Middle School at 8:55 a.m., they issued a field sobriety test before arresting Leveque on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Court records state that one of the school’s security officers reported that they had gotten several calls about a bus driving erratically. Another officer stated that the driver had skipped several stops on that morning’s bus route and was later than usual for drop-off at the school.
Initially, a security officer questioned Leveque to see if he had taken any new medications that day. However, when a Knoxville police officer talked to the driver, he noticed the smell of alcohol on him. Leveque then failed the field sobriety test.
Leveque allegedly admitted to driving vodka with orange juice but could not tell the officers exactly how much he had consumed. He said it could have been about one-fourth of a fifth of vodka.
According to court records, Leveque now faces charges of DUI: Commercial Vehicle – first offense. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on April 26.
KPD stated that there were 19 students on the bus at the time when law enforcement officers first responded to the scene.
Knox County Schools issued the following statement last Thursday:
“KCS does not tolerate this type of behavior or any unsafe activity on buses that serve our students. The bus driver has been removed from the district’s roster of eligible drivers.
All families whose students were on the bus were made aware of the incident, and arrangements have been made to cover transportation going forward.
We appreciate KCS School Security and the Knoxville Police Department for their efforts in this matter. The safety of our students is and will remain our top priority.”
