Bus driver faces felony charge for alleged DUI

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. — Shenendehowa Central Schools bus driver Timothy Radliff is facing a felony charge for allegedly driving a school bus under the influence of drugs.

Last Thursday, police pulled the 58-year-old over after a motorist reported that he was weaving and hit a mailbox. The prosecution upgraded the initial misdemeanor charge to a felony because there were four students on the bus while Radliff was driving, NewsChannel 13 reports.

Radliff's attorney, Michael Jurena, told the news source that Radliff has been driving buses for 27 years and has never had an incident.

Police say Radliff told them he had taken prescription painkillers, and they are trying to determine if the medication was legally prescribed. Jurena told NewsChannel 13 that Radliff suffered a serious back injury several years ago, but he said he does not believe that Radliff had been under the influence while on the job.

Radliff is due back in court in three weeks.