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.
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.
More Safety

Autonomous Vehicles Aren’t Built for Student Transportation [Op-Ed]
Driverless cars may feel the future, but student transportation requires more than navigation. Here’s why it demands human judgment, empathy, and oversight.
Read More →
New York Girl Killed by School Bus Hit & Run
An 11-year-old in Brooklyn was killed crossing the street. Meanwhile, the school bus driver faces misdemeanor charges after he left the scene.
Read More →
Disaster Readiness Starts Before the Storm [Call for Experts]
The 2026 Disaster Response Guide is officially underway, and we’re now opening a Call for Insights and Experts.
Read More →
How Supplemental Transportation Helps Close Driver Gaps
Ongoing driver shortages nationwide are forcing tough transportation decisions. See how districts are using supplemental transportation to maintain coverage for high-needs students.
Read More →
New York 5-Year-Old Killed by School Bus, Investigation Ongoing
A Rockland County child was struck by their school bus late last week. Here's what we know so far about this and other fatalities and injuries in the area over the years.
Read More →
Prevent School Bus Dragging Incidents: Anti-Pinch Door Sensors and Maine’s New Mandate
As Maine becomes one of the first states to require anti-pinch door sensors on new school buses, manufacturers like Mayser offer a look at how the technology works and why it's a critical fail-safe.
Read More →
8 Ways To Simplify and Streamline School Bus Fleet Operations
What if your fleet technology actually worked together? Learn eight practical strategies to integrate multiple systems into one platform, unlocking clearer insights, stronger safety standards, and smoother daily operations.
Read More →
Survey: Most Parents Want Automated Enforcement on School Buses
A recent Verra Mobility survey reports that 82% of parents support safety cameras to penalize stop-arm violators and 70% favor automated enforcement in school zones.
Read More →
State Grant Program Advances School Bus Safety Upgrades Across Ohio
$10 million in state grants will fund safety upgrades and new features on school buses serving students across the Buckeye State.
Read More →
Waymo Scrutiny Intensifies as NTSB Launches Investigation
After complications in multiple cities when self-driving taxis failed to stop for school buses, the NTSB joins NHTSA in a probe to determine what's behind the tech and related safety concerns.
Read More →
