Cape Cod Bus Driver Charged With Driving Drunk While Students On Board
BARNSTABLE (CBS) – A Cape Cod bus driver was arraigned in Barnstable District Court Monday on drunk driving charges after allegedly driving erratically with a bus full of students.
Everett Redmond Jr., 62, of Brewster, was arrested Friday night after a student on the bus called her mother reportedly saying the driver was operating the bus in an unsafe manner. The mother subsequently called police.
Redmond Jr. was charged with operating under the influence of liquor along with child endangerment while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor. This is his second OUI offense.
Redmond Jr. apologized in the courtroom Monday and said he had a few drinks and a sandwich but was not drunk.
Redmond Jr. told WBZ-TV Monday he has children of his own and would be concerned.
"I had a child who was killed. She was 7, so I know," Redmond Jr. said.
"I'd like the opportunity to sit down, when I'm in better spirits you might say, but I'd have to speak to my attorney on that," Redmond Jr. said. "I think I owe that to the parents."
According to the Mass. Department of Transportation, Redmond Jr.'s Class D driver's license has been suspended and his Commercial Driver's License has been revoked for life.
Redmond Jr. was fired from the bus company Cape Destinations on Saturday following the incident.
"We applaud the student passenger who took immediate action upon recognizing that something was wrong during the bus trip, and are grateful to the parent who quickly notified police," the company said in a written statement.
