A 39-year-old Ventura County man who works as a school transport driver is reportedly facing charges of driving under the influence, officials announced Thursday.
The frightening incident, according to a news release from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, unfolded May 28 when a Moorpark School Resource Officer received a report of a school district transportation driver who smelled of alcohol.
The call allegedly came from a concerned parent who smelled the odor of alcohol on the suspect, identified as Moorpark resident Jason Watson, when he arrived to pick up a student for school.
It is unclear if the parent allowed the child to get into the vehicle with Watson, but as soon as officials at Moorpark Unified School District were notified, they contacted law enforcement and instructed the 39-year-old to pull over and park the transportation vehicle.
Moorpark patrol deputies, as well as district officials, arrived a short time later.
“An investigation was conducted, and Watson was arrested for driving under the influence,” the release noted.
He was then booked into the Ventura County Jail.
“The Moorpark Police Department encourages parents and students to report suspicious activity in compliance with the school district’s ‘See something, say something’ mantra,” the release stated. “All reports regarding the safety of students and school staff are handled with a great level of importance.”
