Former school bus driver accused of driving students while drunk faces charges – WHIO TV 7 and WHIO Radio

MASON – A former school bus driver accused of driving students while drunk is facing trial in Warren County.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

According to our news partner WCPO in Cincinnati, the Mason City School District said the incident occurred on the last day of school on May 30.

Mason police identified the driver as James Vance, who was arrested Monday.

He is accused of 46 counts of endangering children.

A police report sent to WCPO was heavily redacted, but officers received a complaint that Vance was drunk while on the job.

LATEST STORIES:

A colleague in the transportation industry said Vance smelled of alcohol and reported it, WLWT TV reported.

“We immediately began an investigation and the driver was immediately removed from his route,” the district said. “Unfortunately, 10 Mason High School students and 21 Mason Early Childhood students were transported to school before the driver was removed from duty.”

The district said all families had been informed about the incident.

“We are deeply disturbed by the actions of this former driver, which are completely unacceptable and do not reflect the values ​​of Mason City Schools,” said Superintendent Jonathan Cooper. “The safety and well-being of every student in our care is our top priority. We are grateful for the men and women who safely transport our students to and from school every day, and we are committed to enhancing our safety protocols to ensure all of our drivers meet the highest standards of safety and responsibility.”

The district announced that he no longer works there.

Vance's next court date is scheduled for September 10.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]