Chief Richard D. Howe
20 Westford Road
Tyngsborough, MA 01879
For Immediate Release
Friday, Feb. 9, 2018
Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Tyngsborough Police Arrest School Bus Driver for OUI After Bus Does Not Show Up to Pick Up Students
TYNGSBOROUGH — Chief Richard D. Howe reports that the Tyngsborough Police Department arrested a school bus driver earlier this week after she was found allegedly drunk inside her bus, parked at a restaurant.
Officers responded Feb. 5 at 3:45 p.m. to a pizza shop on Middlesex Road in Tyngsborough for a report of a school bus that was haphazardly parked in the lot with the driver appearing intoxicated.
Upon arrival, officers found the full-size yellow school bus, with the driver sitting inside eating food. No one else was in the bus at the time.
The bus is owned by Christianson Bus Company of Chelmsford. The company was contacted, and representatives responded to the scene. Tyngsborough Police learned that the bus had been scheduled to pick up students at the Innovation Academy in Tyngsborough at 3:25 but never showed up. Locally, Christianson only services two private schools in town and does not work with Tyngsborough Public Schools.
An on-scene investigated indicated that the driver was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, as a result, DEBRA CLOUTIER, AGE 57, OF TYNGSBOROUGH was arrested and charged with:
- Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol
- License Not In Possession (Infraction)
The investigation indicates that it does not appear at this time that any school children were transported Monday by CLOUTIER while she was allegedly under the influence. The incident remains under investigation by the Tyngsborough Police. If anyone has additional information regarding this incident you are encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant Cynthia Shay at 978-649-7504 ext. 131 or call and leave an anonymous tip by pressing 9.
CLOUTIER was arraigned Tuesday at Lowell District Court.
These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.
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