Returning home from a school field trip turned into a scary situation for some local students when their bus was struck from behind by an alleged drunk driver.
It happened at the service centre on Hwy. 401 near Woodtsock on Monday at around 9:30pm.
Greater Essex County District School Board spokesperson Scott Scantlebury says 52 Grade 8 students from Anderdon Public School were travelling back from Niagara Falls. "There were no injuries and the staff on board did a very good job, an admirable job, in keeping the students calm and making sure that their safety was their first priority," Scantlebury says.
The OPP says the driver fled the scene of the accident. "The (bus) driver followed the vehicle that fled the scene apparently at a safe distance and at a safe speed until he finally came to his ultimate destination," Scantlebury says, adding that the board would have preferred the bus driver didn't pursue the man at all.
A 24-year-old man from Tecumseh is charged with five offences including impaired driving, carrying a concealed weapon and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.
Scantlebury says administration hasn't discussed if the board will continue to use Badder Bus Service after this incident.
