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Student Smells Alcohol on Minnesota School Bus — Driver Arrested and Charged with Child Endangerment and DWI

On Nov. 20 in Maple Lake, MN, a student reported smelling alcohol on a school bus driver, prompting the bus company to stop the route and dispatch a replacement driver. The driver, 55-year-old William John Peterson, later recorded a 0.082% BAC on a preliminary test and was arrested. He faces one child endangerment charge and three counts of operating a motor vehicle under the influence. School officials say all students were safe and the driver has been removed from duty while police investigate.

10:01 PM, 11/23/2025Society
Student Smells Alcohol on Minnesota School Bus — Driver Arrested and Charged with Child Endangerment and DWI

A school bus driver in Maple Lake, Minnesota, has been arrested and charged with child endangerment and multiple counts of operating a vehicle under the influence after a student reported smelling alcohol on the driver's breath during a route on Nov. 20.

According to law enforcement records, a school resource officer was notified when a student raised the concern. The contracted carrier, M&M Bus Service, stopped the bus mid-route and sent a replacement driver so students could be transported safely to their destinations.

A Washington County deputy later met the driver, identified in charging documents as 55-year-old William John Peterson, at the bus company's garage. The deputy reported that Peterson had watery eyes and the odor of alcohol on his breath. Peterson allegedly told investigators he had taken NyQuil and denied drinking alcohol.

Court documents state Peterson "performed poorly" on field sobriety tests and recorded a preliminary breath test result of 0.082% BAC. He was arrested and booked into the Washington County jail. He faces one count of child endangerment and three counts of operating a motor vehicle under the influence.

Zero-tolerance for school bus drivers

For context, the standard legal limit for most drivers is 0.08% BAC and 0.04% for commercial drivers. Minnesota applies a zero-tolerance policy for school bus drivers, and school officials say the district and bus company moved immediately to ensure student safety.

"All students are safe, and M&M Bus Service has informed the district that the driver has been removed from duty effective immediately," Maple Lake Public Schools Superintendent Mike Rowe wrote to families. "Law enforcement was contacted, and another driver was sent to take over the route."

The driver has been removed from duty while the police investigation and pending court process continue. Authorities did not immediately release the exact number of children on the bus, and officials have not provided additional comment.

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