Red Wing School Bus Driver Fails Alcohol Check

RED WING (AP) — A bus driver for the Red Wing School District could face criminal charges after failing an alcohol compliance check last week.

Sgt. Troy Christianson of the Minnesota State Patrol said Monday that officers conducted a random bus check in Red Wing on Friday. He said one bus driver smelled of alcohol and failed a preliminary breath test shortly after transporting dozens of students to school.

Although the driver's blood alcohol content was within the state's limit to operate a commercial vehicle, Christianson said there's a zero tolerance policy for those operating school buses.

Charges could be filed against the bus driver by the Goodhue County Attorney's Office. A spokeswoman says it could take the county attorney's office up to two weeks to decide whether to file criminal charges.