MCSS: Bus Driver Charged With Drunk Driving, No Students Injured After Monday Crash

MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — A Madison County School System (MCSS) bus driver was charged after the bus he was driving struck another vehicle and entered a roadside field Monday, according to the school system.

A school system spokesperson told News 19 Monday that a bus with 10 students from Sparkman Middle on board was traveling through the area of ​​Dan Crutcher Road and Wall Triana Highway when the driver had a “medical emergency.”

On Tuesday, a press release was sent out stating that after an investigation by Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the driver failed “at least part of the field sobriety test” and was was taken to the hospital for further testing.

The driver was ultimately charged with driving under the influence (of another substance) by state troopers.

MCSS did not share the identity of the driver, saying it would not release any further information at this time. ALEA has also not released the identity of the driver charged in connection with this incident, as it says it remains under investigation.

Court records show a man named Christopher Brazelton was arrested for driving under the influence (any substance), “near DAN CRUTCHER RD in MADISON COUNTY, at or near WALL TRIANA HWY.”

Court documents indicate that Brazelton was driving a 2024 PB10500, which is a school bus model, and that the vehicle owner’s address listed in court records is the same as the address listed online for the system’s warehouse Madison County School.

Superintendent Ken Kubik issued a statement regarding the situation:

In full disclosure, a concerned resident contacted our MCSS Transportation Department earlier this afternoon to report that the bus was driving in an unusual manner for Madison Cross Roads Elementary School. MCSS sent a trusted employee to meet the bus driver to check on him. During his meeting with the driver en route and upon SMS, the employee observed nothing abnormal in the driver’s behavior. The driver in question is experienced and has been working at MCSS for a year without incident. The driver said he wasn’t feeling well over the weekend. After observing and talking with the driver for a few minutes, the employee allowed him to continue his journey.

Let me be clear: MSSC would never knowingly allow an impaired driver to operate a school bus. The MSSC is currently evaluating transportation procedures to prevent this from happening in the future. I assure you that this behavior has no place in our school district and we remain steadfast in our mission to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff.

Ken Kubik, MSSC Superintendent

No students were injured and parents were quickly informed, the MCSS spokesperson said.

MCSS officials said the bus driver’s employment status with the district is pending disciplinary review and action.