Special-needs bus driver arrested for DUI

TYNGSBOROUGH, Mass. — A school bus driver was recently arrested for driving under the influence after he rear-ended a small minivan transporting students, police said.

On June 18, the Tyngsborough Police Department received multiple 911 calls reporting the accident. An investigation revealed that Erik Paulik had reportedly been tailgating the minivan prior to the crash.

According to authorities, when the minivan stopped at an intersection, Paulik's bus struck it from behind, causing rear-end damage, including breaking the rear window. It also pushed the minivan into the intersection.

Paulik was questioned and then given a series of field sobriety tests. He was subsequently arrested for operating under the influence of intoxicating liquor, child endangerment while operating under the influence and failing to slow when approaching an intersection.

Officials said there were no reported injuries sustained from the accident. Paulik was transporting two adult bus monitors and four special-needs students, and four students were on the minivan.  

The Associated Press (AP) reported that Paulik later pled not guilty to the charges against him.

A prosecutor at his arraignment told AP that Paulik had a blood-alcohol level of .27, more than three times the legal limit, on a portable breath test.