Detectives said 21 students from Oakdale Elementary School were on the bus at the time.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools bus driver was arrested Thursday on suspicion of driving while impaired, according to a police report.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police stopped the driver on Lightspun Lane in northwest Charlotte. According to the police report, 21 students on the bus were put in a “substantial risk of harm” by the driver. CMPD hasn’t identified the driver. CMS confirmed the driver is suspended effective Aug. 30.
Superintendent Crystal Hill said Friday that the district knows about the incident but can’t comment on the investigation. The students were from Oakdale Elementary School. Administrators sent the following message to parents about the situation:
“Good evening, Oakdale Elementary, this is Principal Dr. Sharrone Powell reaching out to inform you about an incident that occurred this afternoon with bus 1680. We received a report that the driver of the bus was driving erratically in a neighborhood. Transportation services were alerted, and police arrived on scene along with transportation managers and school leadership. Some students on board the bus were taken safely home on another bus. Some parents who arrived at the scene took their children home in their own vehicles.
Your child may have been impacted by this incident. They may feel a variety of emotions: they may be scared, shocked, or confused. What is most important is that we care for and support them. The Crisis Response Team is available to respond to the emotional needs.
We take this matter seriously as the safety and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority. Thank you for your continued support of Oakdale Elementary.”
No further information was released by CMS. WCNC Charlotte’s Julia Kauffman is working to learn more and this story will be updated.
