North Carolina school bus driver arrested for DUI after dropping off students

LOUISBURG, N.C. -- Police have charged a school bus driver in North Carolina with DUI while driving students.

The school district said 63-year-old Barbara Thorne was carrying 40 students to Terrell Lane Middle School in Louisburg Thursday morning and was arrested after she completed her run.

No students were hurt.

Louisburg Police said an assistant principal smelled alcohol on Thorne's breath while talking to her and contacted a school resource officer. The officer found there was probable cause that Thorne was under the influence of alcohol.

A breathalyzer test revealed a blood-alcohol level of 0.10. The legal limit in North Carolina is 0.08.

Police are investigating the incident, working to find out whether the bus was equipped with cameras or GPS that may help determine how far Thorne traveled with the students and the route she took.

"I have to give praise to the Franklin County School System," said Louisburg Police Chief Rick Lassiter. "They do not tolerate any misbehavior by a bus driver."

Bond was set at $1,000. Thorne was put on paid administrative leave pending further investigation by the school district.

The district said Thorne has been an employee for 12 years.