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SARATOGA SPRINGS — A bus driver transporting four special needs students was arrested Tuesday for investigation of DUI, a Saratoga Springs city official said.
Sherry Lund, 52, smelled of alcohol and appeared be impaired when approached by police, said Saratoga Springs city spokesman Owen Jackson.
Saratoga Springs police officers received a call around 4 p.m. about a bus driver "unconscious on the side of the road," Jackson said.
Officers responded but didn't initially locate the bus where the caller reported it to be. They eventually spotted the bus near Pony Express and Redwood Road and conducted a traffic stop.
Four special needs children and a bus aide were inside the vehicle, Jackson said.
Kimberly Bird, assistant to the superintendent for Alpine School District, said Tuesday that a conclusion that DUI occurred "would definitely lead to termination."
"(It would be) too serious of an action to … do anything but that. Kids were in our care, and that's why this is so disturbing to us," Bird said.
Bird, who couldn't independently confirm Lund's identity, said she was unaware of any history of similar incidents with the driver. The district placed Lund on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation of DUI.
"We understand (parents) are going to be alarmed, (and) we're deeply disturbed," Bird said. "We of course have a zero drug and alcohol policy. … And we want our kids to arrive to and return from school safely. That's our No. 1 priority."
Bird said district officials are working to determine whether any other students were dropped off prior to the DUI arrest Tuesday. All of the affected students' parents will be contacted, she said. Of the children who were in the bus when Lund was arrested, two were taken home by a substitute bus driver and the other two were picked up by their parents.
"We're thankful that the kids are safe," Bird said.
The students in the bus were likely from multiple schools, according to Bird. She couldn't confirm the students' ages.
The Alpine School District is cooperating with the investigation being done by Saratoga Springs police, Bird said.
It wasn't clear Tuesday how long Lund has worked as a bus driver or when she was hired by the Alpine School District.
Lund has no other significant criminal history in Utah.
Contributing: Brianna Bodily, Nicole Vowell
