The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
On Tuesday afternoon in Warren County, Kentucky, a school bus driver was involved in a traffic accident with another vehicle eleven minutes after dropping off the last of the 25 middle school and high school passengers on his route. He was suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol.
As stated in the police report, Warren County Public School bus driver Robert Marlette made impact with a Dodge truck traveling in the opposite direction as the bus at 4:01 p.m. When the sheriff’s department arrived at the scene a deputy spoke with the driver of the truck, and he claimed Marlette was driving the school bus down the center of the road when it crashed into him.
A deputy interviewing Marlette reported that the accused had bloodshot eyes and smelled of liquor. After a preliminary breath test showed positive results, he was issued a standard field sobriety test which he failed. Marlette was arrested and taken to the hospital for medical clearance, and while there he consented to a blood draw.
Though he has only been charged and not convicted, Marlette was fired from his job on Wednesday. WCPS Superintendent Rob Clayton stated, “Ensuring the safety of our students remains our top priority. Any time there is an incident involving the safety of a student, we are going to respond quickly so that the individual is held accountable for meeting our high expectations.” He also said that it is not known exactly when Marlette allegedly consumed the alcohol.
63-year-old Marlette was taken to Warren County Regional Jail and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, felony first-degree wanton endangerment and felony first-degree criminal mischief. His bail was set at $5,000, and it was posted a few hours after his arrest. Marlette was released and he is awaiting a November 7 court date. Kentucky court online records show no prior offenses, and he had a clean background check over a year ago upon being hired at his job as a school bus driver.
If you or someone you love is suspected of DUI, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.