Sulphur, Louisiana School Bus Driver Charged with Drunk Driving

Louisiana State Police arrested Matthew Oliver Richard, age 26, of Sulphur, Louisiana on multiple charges, including DWI while driving a school bus. Shortly before 8:00 AM, on January 7, 2013, a State Trooper observed a speeding school bus traveling south on Louisiana Highway 27 about 6 miles south of DeQuincy. The Calcasieu Parish school bus he was driving was also observed weaving and operating left of the highway centerline.

The Trooper stopped the bus and determined that the driver was intoxicated. Richard was arrested and submitted a breath sample to determine alcohol intoxication. The result was .211g% which is over 2 ½ times the legal limit in Louisiana.

No children were on the bus at the time of the traffic stop. However, troopers discovered that just a short time earlier, 49 children under 12 years of age were on the bus. Those children were dropped off to area schools and no injuries were reported. Further investigation revealed that an open bottle of alcohol found in Richard’s possession was stolen from an area supermarket earlier in the day.

He was charged with DWI with child endangerment, speeding 75 in a 55 mile per hour zone, improper lane usage, possession of an open alcoholic container in a motor vehicle, and theft under $500. Richard was booked into the Calcasieu Parish Correctional Center. Richard was booked into the Calcasieu Parish Correctional Center.

Thank you Louisiana State Police for removing this dangerous driver from our roadways!

Motorists are encouraged to help by dialing *LSP (*577) from their cell phone to report impaired drivers or to contact their local law enforcement agency.