School bus driver charged with DUI after crashing bus
Scott Poirier of Massachusetts crashed his bus into a telephone pole and was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated. He told police he didn’t drink any alcohol, but did take DayQuil and NyQuil.
DUDLEY, Mass. — A school bus driver here was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated after he crashed his school bus with students on board on Thursday.
At approximately 3 p.m., police and fire and emergency medical personnel responded to a school bus crash, according to the Dudley Police Department. Upon arrival, officers observed a school bus in the eastbound travel lane with wires from a utility pole lying across its roof. The bus was on its afternoon drop-off route, and there were 11 students on board at the time. No one was injured.
During conversation and interaction with bus driver Scott Poirier, officers suspected that Poirier may have been under the influence of alcohol. After the officers conducted field sobriety tests, they believed Poirier was operating under the influence, and he was placed under arrest. He was found to be nearly two times over the legal limit when he crashed the bus, according to CBS Boston.
The students were transported home by a second bus shortly after the accident.
Poirier appeared in court on Friday, facing charges of operating under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and child endangerment while operating under the influence. Prosecutors said that Poirier was drunk when he lost control of the bus and hit the telephone pole, causing wires to fall on top of the bus, CBS Boston reports. They added that police officers saw Poirier fall down the bus steps before trying to compose himself, and that he told police he hadn’t drunk any alcohol but had taken DayQuil and NyQuil earlier that day, according to the news source.
A judge ordered Poirier to stay away from kids and alcohol, and he was released and placed under house arrest, according to the news source. He has been suspended by his employer, First Student, while the crash is under investigation, CBS Boston reports.
More Safety

Pro-Vision Launches AI-Powered 360° Camera System
The new Birdseye camera delivers real-time AI-based pedestrian and vehicle detections, full visibility around the bus, and telematics integrations.
Read More →
N.Y. & N.J. Coalitions Call for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students
New statewide coalitions in New York and New Jersey are urging lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.
Read More →
America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse
Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.
Read More →
School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate
Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.
Read More →
The Essential Handbook for Safe Alternative Student Transportation
Your district's "exception riders" — students with IEPs, those experiencing homelessness, foster care youth — deserve more than a middleman solution. This handbook breaks down exactly what to look for in a supplemental transportation partner: from driver vetting and regulatory compliance to proactive safety technology. Because getting a ride isn't the same as getting a safe one.
Read More →
Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas
Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.
Read More →
Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards
After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.
Read More →
School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes
From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus at Busy Brooklyn Intersection
A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.
Read More →
Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes
The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.
Read More →
