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Matthew Dudek, 35, of East Norriton, is charged with DUI and a dozen counts of endangering the welfare of a child, court records show.
Police wrote in an affidavit that it happened on Dec. 15. Dudek was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run in his personal vehicle on his way to work, authorities said.
After he picked up 12 students from Holland Middle School around 3 p.m., one student contacted her parents "with the belief that her driver was impaired," according to the affidavit. The parents called the Durham Bus company who then called Richboro Elementary School, where Dudek was scheduled to pick up more students, authorities said.
Richboro Elementary principal Daneyelle Jordan confronted Dudek when he arrived and saw "what appeared to be vomit" on the school bus floor, investigators wrote. When she asked him about it he did not respond, according to the affidavit.
Jordan told Dudek that another bus was coming and instructed him not to leave the property, but he closed the door and drove off in the empty bus, police said.
Investigators said Dudek admitted to drinking wine the night before and shots of vodka around 11 a.m. that morning. Field testing showed his blood alcohol concentration was .234 percent, or nearly three times the legal limit, police claimed.
Court records show Dudek has a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 14.
Transportation contractor Durham School Services, which employed Dudek, issued a statement to families of the affected Holland Middle School students on Dec. 15:
We are aware of a concerning and unacceptable situation involving one of our employees. Based on the information we received from the authorities, the individual has been removed from service. We are cooperating fully with the authorities and are committed to keeping the district updated with further developments. Durham prides itself on its safety policies and culture, and the safety of the students we transport is our priority. This individual met all federal, state, and company screening requirements, which include motor vehicle records checks, criminal background checks, pre-employment drug screening, as well as Department of Transportation and state medical checks. Today's events are unacceptable, and when we became aware of this situation, we took swift action by notifying local authorities. The authorities arrived quickly, and we are thankful for their prompt actions to remove the driver from service. Durham has launched an immediate investigation to fully understand the course of action and to prevent such a situation from occurring again.
Last Friday, Feb. 2, the company issued a second statement to all Council Rock families:
We have recently been notified that a former Durham School Services driver has been charged with serious crimes, including driving under the influence and endangering the welfare of children. We are appalled at the alleged criminal conduct carried out by our former driver and can confirm that this driver’s employment was promptly terminated immediately following the incident in question. We recognize the gravity of the situation and are fully cooperating with local authorities. We sincerely apologize for the concern and distress this situation has caused to students, parents, and the entire Council Rock community. Further, we have thoroughly investigated this incident and continue to improve our systems and procedures to help make sure something like this never happens again in the Council Rock community.At Durham School Services, safety is our priority. Before a potential candidate is offered a job opportunity with our company, they must pass a rigorous background check screening. The driver in question met all federal, state, and company screening requirements, which include motor vehicle records checks, criminal background checks, pre-employment drug screening, as well as Department of Transportation and state medical checks. We also have a robust driver training program and can confirm that this driver satisfied all federal, state, and company training requirements.Notwithstanding the above, this driver allegedly committed criminal conduct that is reprehensible and totally unacceptable. Durham School Services is unwavering in its commitment to the Council Rock School District community and the safety and welfare of the students we transport. We pledge to work tirelessly to help safeguard every student on every bus, every single day.
Council Rock School District issued its own statement on Monday, Feb. 5:
As a follow-up to the email you received from Durham School Services on Friday, February 2, 2024, we are sharing an update with the Council Rock community with additional information. Council Rock contracts with Durham School Services to provide bus transportation and driver services. The December 15, 2023 incident involved a Holland Middle School bus route with a Durham School Services-employed bus driver.All students of the HMS bus route on December 15 were transported without injury, and parents of students were notified promptly.Due to the ongoing criminal case, we are not permitted to disclose details of the incident publicly. However, the District has taken swift action with Durham School Services to review the incident and ensure their safety and driver accountability protocols are enforced.Durham School Services has terminated the bus driver’s employment. Council Rock has taken every measure to hold Durham School Services accountable for the highest level of safety possible in every aspect of transporting Council Rock students. Our expectation is that Durham School Services finds this incident as wholly unacceptable as we do in Council Rock.The Council Rock School District maintains student safety as its top priority. We continue to require Durham School Services to provide nothing less than complete and exceptional safe bus service for our students.
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