Smithtown School District says school bus driver removed for drinking alcohol while transporting students
According to the Smithtown school superintendent, the incident happened while driving students home from Smithtown High School West.
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A bus driver in Smithtown is off the job following allegations they were drinking alcoholic beverages with children on board.
According to the Smithtown school superintendent, the incident happened on Wednesday while driving students home from Smithtown High School West.
A message to families from Smithtown School District Superintendent Mark Secaur said, “This afternoon, we received a report of a bus driver drinking an alcoholic beverage while on the route to bring students home from High School West. It was confirmed that an alcoholic beverage was on board, and the driver was promptly taken from the bus, and a different driver completed the route.”
News 12 has learned the driver was confronted at Great Hollow Middle School – where the district says an alcoholic drink was found on board.
Suffolk police added that the container was open and that they are investigating.
Parents in Smithtown are calling for stricter rules for bus drivers. Tara Graham said the alleged incident makes her sick to her stomach. The mom said she'd like to see random drug testing and closer monitoring.
"They should definitely be more strict. There are cameras for other drivers. Why not for them?"
WE Transport says the driver has been removed from service.
A spokesperson for the district says nobody was hurt during the incident.
