Forest Grove School Bus Driver Arrested For DUI

Forest Grove, Ore. — The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says a Forest Grove school bus driver was arrested after driving his bus off the road Wednesday morning.

20-year-old Jonathan Gates of Hillsboro was behind the wheel of the bus carrying 10 kids and a teacher when it crashed on SW Old Hwy. 47, near SW Seghers Road.

The Bus swerved off the road and crashed into ditch.  Deputies say no one was injured.

Gates was arrested for DUI-controlled substance and taken to the Washington County Jail.

The Sheriff’s Office says Gates was issued a citation in lieu of custody and released.

The Forest Grove School District released the following statement:

At approximately 8:17am this morning, a school bus carrying 10 students from Forest Grove High School, Neil Armstrong Middle School and Tom McCall Upper Elementary School veered off the road into a ditch. The accident took place off of Scoggins Valley Road near Hagg Lake. There were no other vehicles involved and no immediate injuries to the students were reported. All students were evaluated by emergency personnel and were released to parents or guardians.

The driver was arrested at the site and Washington County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash. Following district procedure, the driver will undergo a mandatory drug test and be placed on administrative leave while the investigation is ongoing.