Crime

Kentucky man crashed stolen school bus into ditch, police say. He was drinking Fireball

A Kentucky man is facing charges for allegedly stealing a school bus from South Laurel High School and drinking while under the influence.
A Kentucky man is facing charges for allegedly stealing a school bus from South Laurel High School and drinking while under the influence. London Police Department

A Laurel County man faces several charges after reportedly stealing a school bus and driving it while under the influence, according to the London Police Department.

Around 10:45 p.m. Tuesday, London police officers were notified that a school bus had crashed into a ditch at the intersection of Middleground Way and Sublimity School Road. A young man was seen crawling out of the bus.

Police said the man, 26-year-old John Driscoll, was later spotted on Middleground Way and detained.

Driscoll smelled of alcohol while being interviewed by officers, according to police. He said he stole the school bus from South Laurel High School and had been drinking Fireball whiskey.

Driscoll’s arrest citation says he was trying to get a ride back to Louisville. He was unable to perform any field sobriety tests. A preliminary breath test determined that he had a blood alcohol content level of 0.166.

Driscoll was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, theft by unlawful taking-automobile $10,000 to $1 million, first-degree criminal mischief, leaving the scene of an accident-failure to render aid or assistance, reckless driving, careless driving, not being licensed to drive a commercial vehicle, illegal use of a school bus and failure to wear seat belts, police said.

He was also served a warrant from Indiana for counterfeiting, according to court documents.

Police said Driscoll is being held at the Laurel County Detention Center. His bond is set at $25,000, according to court records.

The bus Driscoll allegedly stole and crash is valued at $175,000, according to court documents. The extent of damage from the wreck is unknown.

BEHIND THE STORY

MORE

How criminal charges work

Suspects are charged by law enforcement based on initial allegations and evidence that have not yet been proven in court or through jury trial.

Christopher Leach
Lexington Herald-Leader
Chris Leach is a breaking news reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He joined the newspaper in September 2021 after previously working with the Anderson News and the Cats Pause. Chris graduated from UK in December 2018. Support my work with a digital subscription
Get one year of unlimited digital access for $159.99
#ReadLocal

Only 44¢ per day

SUBSCRIBE NOW