Indiana authorities arrested a school bus driver after he allegedly he drove dozens of students while under the influence of alcohol, disregarded traffic laws and admitted to heavy drinking hours before his route, reported Fox 59.

According to the news report, 52-year-old Micah McClain was arrested on June 12 following an investigation into allegations that he operated a school bus for Mill Creek Community School Corporation on April 15 after consuming alcohol.

The investigation reportedly began after the school district conducted a routine quarterly drug and alcohol screening for bus drivers. According to court documents, McClain registered preliminary breath test results of 0.111 percent and 0.114 percent blood alcohol content, nearly three times higher than the allowable limit for commercial driver’s license holders.

Police said McClain, who worked primarily as a maintenance employee but also served as a substitute bus driver, transported 15 high school students on one route and 29 elementary school students on another.

Following the positive result, McClain reportedly told investigators he had “drank hard and heavy until 1 a.m.” before reporting to work.

Detectives reviewed school bus video that allegedly showed McClain running multiple stop signs, driving left of center, exceeding the speed limit and failing to use turn signals. At one point, after a student reportedly shouted, “This is the wrong way!” McClain responded, “Yeah, I know.” Later, as students questioned where the bus was going, he replied, “I am doing the best I can.”

The district said via the article that McClain was immediately removed from driving duties and later terminated. Families of students assigned to the route were notified the same day, and the district said it followed all required testing protocols.

Court documents reportedly indicate school transportation officials previously suspected McClain had reported to work under the influence. An employee allegedly noticed the odor of alcohol in October 2024, and officials said McClain had been barred from driving until the 2025-26 school year after agreeing to random breath tests.

McClain faces preliminary charges including neglect of a dependent, operating while intoxicated endangering a person younger than 18, criminal recklessness, speeding in a school zone, and other multiple traffic infractions.

STN EXPO West conference in Reno, Nevada offers a two-hour certificated seminar on reasonable suspicion testing of school bus drivers for drug and alcohol use on July 10.

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