HARTLAND, Wis. (WTMJ) – A 72-year-old school bus driver was arrested in Wisconsin after police said he was driving erratically and wouldn’t let children off the bus.
Officials said the driver now faces multiple charges, including driving under the influence.
The afternoon of the incident, students said they were crying and screaming when they were finally able to get off the bus.
North Shore Middle School student Jacora Reaves said something did not feel right when they got on the bus that day.
“I was scared because he didn’t stop at any of the first few stops,” she said. “And I was scared that the other kids weren’t going to get to go home.”
Fellow student Kerlyn Alvarez said she also noticed something off with the driver.
“He was just getting mad over little stuff,” she said.
Jacora called 911 when she noticed something was wrong with the bus route they were taking.
The school district used Dousman Transportation, Inc. for bussing.
The company confirmed in an email that they are investigating the incident.
“I was worried about everyone,” Jacora said. “I’m like, ‘Where did my brother go? Is this little girl hurt or something? Are all the kids off the bus?’”
Jacora’s mother Jonisha Neita said she is proud of how the girls handled the situation.
“They did a good job,” Neita said. “Seeing them work together in the way they took care of them babies, I was very happy.”
However, the mom said she was not happy with the Hartland Lakeside District.
“We should have been notified ASAP,” Neita said. “I should have got a call from the principal, anybody, school district. Anybody should have called me to let me know what was going on with my kid.”
The district superintendent said she is “disgusted” and “disheartened” about the incident and is reminding parents that student safety is a top priority.
Hartland Police are continuing to investigate.
Copyright 2025 WTMJ via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.