A Pinellas County School bus driver has been arrested for driving under the influence of a controlled substance.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Dorothy Burse, 56, was driving a school bus on Tuesday when she was rear ended on 54th Ave. North near the intersection of 66th Street North.
Seven students from Lealman Innovative were on the bus at the time of the crash. They were not hurt.
The driver of the car that slammed into the back of Burse's bus left the scene, according to detectives.
During the investigation of the crash, troopers arrested Burse for DUI.
Her husband, William Burse, said his family was shocked when they were told she was arrested by FHP.
"She don't drink. She don't smoke. She don't do pot. She don't do nothing. I mean her life depends on that job. She's really true about it," William Burse said.
As FHP investigates, so is the Pinellas County Schools District. In an emailed statement they said:
"Pinellas County Schools takes student safety seriously. The incident involving Ms. Burse is concerning. The accident and incident are under investigation. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken following the results of the investigation."
"It's all going to come out at the end that she's not guilty," William Burse said.
William Burse said his wife is on antibiotics. He said what happened earlier in the day is a big misunderstanding.
"She went to the hospital over the weekend cause she had an infection on her side and she got her prescription for antibiotics. She had to go pick it up yesterday," William Burse said.
William Burse defends his wife, saying she would never put children in any danger.
"She loves children. She will do anything in the world for any child," William Burse said.
If anyone has any information about the driver of the car, who did not stay at the scene, contact troopers immediately.
