A Knox County school bus driver was arrested yesterday morning on charges of DUI and additional allegations are possible following an incident that put children's safety at risk. The Knoxville Police Department responded to a situation at Holston Middle School after being alerted to problems by the school's security staff. The driver, identified as 63-year-old Matthew Leveque, was given a field sobriety test and did not pass, according to police.
Earlier reports from WVLT News indicate that the bus, which was contracted through Lynch Bus Line, had been seen driving erratically before Leveque's arrest. Missing several stops and dropping off students later than usual—some 28 children at Rita Elementary and 19 at Holston Middle School—reports came in that raised concerns about Leveque's condition.
In a statement obtained by WATE, Officer James Manning noted Leveque's eyes were "pinpoint and twitching" after Leveque allegedly smelled of alcohol. The assertion by a Knox County Schools Security Lieutenant spurred further investigation, leading to the field sobriety test which he failed. Officers also noted that when pulling school bus camera footage, a KCS employee reported a smell of alcohol coming from Leveque.
According to WBIR, a warrant detailed that Leveque was transporting 47 students at the time of his arrest. Calls reporting a bus driving erratically and missing stops alerted the security about the alleged intoxication of Leveque, while he was supposed to be entrusted with the safe passage of children to their schools early Thursday morning.
