YMCA bus driver arrested last week had blood alcohol content 5 times the legal limit

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A bus driver is facing DUI charges after she was 30 minutes late picking up kids from an outing in Oldham County.

Oldham County Police said 51-year-old Melissa Dowell, of Louisville, was arrested Friday and charged with DUI.

According to court documents, her blood alcohol content was .207 -- more than five times the legal limit for people with a Commercial Drivers License (CDL).

The legal limit for CDL drivers is half the threshold for the rest of the public, making the legal threshold .04 instead of .08.

Police were notified by counselors from the Oldham County YMCA after the bus driver, Dowell, was 30 minutes late from bringing kids back from the Oldham County Aquatic Center.

Police found Dowell parked in the running bus in the center's parking lot and noticed "a strong odor of intoxicants" coming from her, noting she had slurred speech, glassy eyes, and was unsteady on her feet.

Dowell did not pass Field Sobriety Tests, and was arrested at the scene. The Oldham County YMCA provided alternative transportation for the children.

Dowell was immediately terminated by Miller Transportation.

"The safety and security of every passenger -- especially the children entrusted to us -- are our highest priorities," the company released in a statement. "We are working closely with the YMCA to ensure that all standards are not only met but exceeded moving forward."

A court date has not yet been set for Dowell.

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