Arrest Affidavit: Bus Driver Had .015 BAC When Arrested

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)- A school bus driver with the Cherry Creek School District appeared in court Friday afternoon after he was arrested for suspicion of DUI on Thursday.

Michael Hobbs was a bus driver for West Middle School. He was arrested just after 3:30 p.m. on Thursday after he had picked up 30 students from the school.

A female staff member thought she smelled alcohol on Hobbs but said he appeared to be walking and talking fine. She reported it to the school district's transportation department.

In the meantime Hobbs drove his route with the students on board. All the students were dropped off at their usual spot. It is the only stop on the route.

At that time the school district contacted Hobbs and asked him to stay where he was and he did comply.

According to the arrest report, Hobbs told deputies he had been taking TheraFlu and other cold medicine like NyQuil. He also told them he had one beer at lunch.

The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office had Hobbs conduct a road side test. They claim he did not satisfactorily pass it. He was taken into custody and arrested on suspicion of DUI.

Tustin Amole with the Cherry Creek School District told CBS4, "At this point we do not expect him to return."

Hobbs blood alcohol level tests revealed a .015 BAC.

"As I understand it his blood alcohol test was .015 which is much lower than the legal limit," said Amole.

Parents told CBS4 they were concerned.

"You're never supposed to have any alcohol with any medication so that's really stupid to begin with, and in that case it's just as bad, he shouldn't be driving," said parent Bill Owens.

He is facing charges of suspicion of DUI and child abuse. Hobbs paid $1,000 bond. His next court appearance is in April.