TYNGSBOROUGH, Mass. — A bus driver for Innovation Academy in Tyngsborough was arrested and charged with OUI and license not in possession.
Court records show 57-year-old Debra Cloutier was arrested Monday.
According to records, Cloutier missed pickup of students from Innovation Academy. Police found Cloutier parked crooked in the parking lot of Brick House Pizza, intoxicated and eating. Police say the bus was on and they believe she was going to drive away, before they stopped her.
#Tyngsboro school bus driver arrested on OUI of liquor, license not in possession, per court records. We're told no students were on board. Driver missed pickup, allegedly found intoxicated by cops in a lot. Debra Cloutier arrested Monday, arraigned Tues. @boston25
— Evan White (@EvanWhiteIII) February 9, 2018
Chief: No reason to believe driver had driven bus while intoxicated with students on board at any point Monday. #Tyngsborough @boston25
— Evan White (@EvanWhiteIII) February 9, 2018
Chris Callery - an employee at the pizza shop - said he waited on Cloutier and could smell alcohol on her.
"I made her a salad and I charged her, I didn't give it to her and I stalled and I waited for police to come," said Callery.
Police told Boston 25 News Friday afternoon that Cloutier was uncooperative at first and seemed to be confused. She was scheduled to pick up students, but told police she stopped home for a "celebratory drink" with a friend.
Police would not discuss her BAC, but said she was not stable on her feet and struggled with their questions. They also said she slipped out of handcuffs while in the police car.
No students were on the bus at the time of the incident.
The Christianson Bus Company tells Boston 25 News they have since fired Cloutier.
Mug of Debra Cloutier. Tyngsborough school bus driver arrested for allegedly driving drunk. No students were on board bus per PD. Chief tells me she missed her stop, apparently was "done for the day." Found by officers after not showing up at Innovation Academy Monday@boston25 pic.twitter.com/LNVt64SJu9
— Evan White (@EvanWhiteIII) February 9, 2018
Chief Richard Howe says there is no reason to believe Cloutier had driven the bus while intoxicated with students on board at any point Monday.
“Our No. 1 priority was to find out if she had driven that bus while she was intoxicated - we have no reason to believe at this time that that occurred," said Howe.
Howe says he doesn't believe Cloutier planned to continue working that day, but that doesn't change the seriousness of her alleged crimes.
"She's a school bus driver - an incredible responsibility every parent, everybody who is a parent can attest to the importance of the safety when you send your kids off you expect them to go to school safely and be brought back safely," said Howe.
Cloutier was arraigned on Feb. 6, and released on personal recognizance. She is due back in court on March 2.
Cox Media Group