MEDINA - On November 30th, Herbert Ferguson, a former Medina Schools bus driver, was arrested for operating a bus with students onboard while drunk. Ferguson failed a random alcohol test after his morning bus run.
Ferguson was immediately removed from driving duty according to school district policy and resigned. The incident was reported to the Medina Police by school representatives, who assisted with the investigation. Officers collected evidence and interviewed Ferguson regarding the allegations.
Based on information from the investigation, Ferguson has been preliminarily charged with one count of endangering children, a first-degree misdemeanor, and was incarcerated at the Medina County Jail.
Charges for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol (OVI) and additional counts of endangering children are forthcoming.
Photo: Medina Police Department (Ohio)
This Morning Medina City School Superintendent Aaron Sable emailed the school district's parents, guardians, and staff. You can read that email below.
Dear Medina City Schools Parents/Guardians & Staff-
I want to inform you that Medina City Schools’ bus driver, Herbert Ferguson, was relieved of his duties on bus route 30 on November 15, 2022. This occurred immediately after failing a random alcohol test conducted after his morning run. The parents of the students who regularly ride the bus were notified in a separate communication.
During an ongoing internal investigation and in collaboration with Medina police, it was determined that the driver was consuming alcohol and met the legal definition of intoxication while transporting students. As a result of a continued investigation with the Medina Police Department and a review of the case by the city prosecutor, Ferguson was arrested late Wednesday with charges pending.
The safety and security of our students is paramount, and behavior such as impaired driving is not tolerated by our school District. We are very grateful for the Federal Department of Transportation’s random drug and alcohol testing policy and to our Transportation Department that immediately removed the driver from his duties in accordance with District procedures. The school Board and the District have been and will continue cooperating with the Medina City Police Department in this matter.
Thank you,
Aaron Sable
Superintendent
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