The district said the driver passed two field sobriety tests and an alcohol test. The district said it’s awaiting the results of a drug test.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Cell phone videos and other images are sparking concern in the Anthony Middle School community after a Cy-Fair ISD bus driver was pulled over on the way to campus Monday morning while taking students to school.
“And they took her off the bus, they did a field sobriety test,” parent Allyssa Maxwell said.
Maxwell’s 6th grader and others watched it all from on board the bus.
“They had another bus driver come to the bus stop to get the remaining kids that were left on the bus to take them to school,” Maxwell said.
Imran Kazi drove to the scene himself after his wife noticed their daughter’s bus wasn’t moving via the district’s transportation tracking app.
“And, interestingly enough, the very same moment we noticed something come up on our Facebook group in the community that there’s a bus with a couple of cop cars around it,” Kazi said.
According to Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office officials, deputies conducted a welfare check stop after hearing from a number of concerned parents. They did the field sobriety test before turning things over to Cy-Fair ISD police.
But it remains unclear how or if the driver may have been impaired, although witnesses said they also saw the bus driving erratically.
“If she was not under the influence and just a bad driver, she needs driver’s ed,” Kazi said.
Maxwell said she hoped things would be handled properly, given that the school year had just begun.
“Because I don’t want this to happen to any parent, any other community to where they have to worry about if their child is going to be safe on the bus or not,” Maxwell said.
We got this statement from CFISD late in the day on Tuesday after reaching out hours earlier:
“Bus 5201 was stopped by Precinct 5 at Parker Road & Pioneer Mill Road after receiving calls from concerned parents.
“–The driver was subjected to a field sobriety test, which she passed.
“-The driver was subjected to a second field sobriety test 45 minutes after the first field sobriety test was conducted, which she also passed.
“-As per district procedure, the driver was sent to a clinic for drug and alcohol testing. The alcohol test was negative. We are waiting to receive the results of the drug test.
“The driver is currently on paid administrative leave pending the results of the drug test. The parents of students on Bus 5201 were contacted by phone and letter.”
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