Saskatchewan RCMP say a man has been charged after allegedly driving a school bus full of children while impaired.
A 45-year-old man is facing one count each of impaired driving and driving with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit after an incident on Nov. 19, according to an RCMP news release.
At approximately 3:45 p.m. CST on that day, officers received reports of an impaired driver in the Buffalo Buffalo River Dene Nation community of Dillon, Sask., located roughly 400 kilometres northwest of Prince Albert.
Police were told that security officers and school employees were unsuccessful at stopping a school bus driver who appeared to be intoxicated.
The bus drove off with 50 students on board, the release said.
A short time later, officers found the bus with the driver but no passengers — the children had already been dropped off along the bus route.
The driver was arrested after officers observed signs of intoxication, RCMP say.
After further investigation and consultation with Crown prosecutors, RCMP charged the 45-year-old from Buffalo River Dene Nation with the two impaired driving charges.
The man’s driver’s licence was suspended pending the outcome of court. He’s scheduled to appear in court in Dillon on Dec. 18, 2024.