School Bus Driver Arrested for DUI After Crashing Into Ditch with Children Aboard

A 20-year-old school bus driver was arrested for driving under the influence of a controlled substance after crashing a bus into a ditch with children aboard in Gaston, Oregon, on November 13, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

In a press release, the sheriff’s office said, “When deputies arrived they found the school bus in a ditch with 12 occupants on the bus: the 20-year-old driver, Jonathan C. Gates of Hillsboro, an adult bus aid, and ten children between the ages of ten and sixteen. Deputies determined there were no injuries to the occupants of the bus, and the children aboard were students from Forest Grove School District. Deputies discovered Mr. Gates appeared to be impaired, and he was arrested for DUI-controlled substance. Mr. Gates was transported to the Washington County Jail where he cooperated with investigators.”

The Forest Grove School District confirmed that students from Forest Grove High School, Neil Armstrong Middle School, and Tom McCall Upper Elementary School were on board the bus and that none were injured, in a press release on November 13.

Video from inside the bus shows the moment when Gates veered off the road. He is heard in the video repeatedly saying, “I am so sorry.” Credit: Washington County Sheriff’s Office via Storyful