Bolt Bus Driver Arrested For DWI, Speeding

MYFOXNY.COM - The New Jersey State Police say a bus driver was arrested on the New Jersey Turnpike after a frightened passenger called 9-1-1 saying the driver of the Bolt bus appeared to be drunk.

The call came in about 2:45 p.m. on Friday.  A state trooper caught up with the bus in the southbound lanes of the turnpike between exits 4 and 5 in Mount Laurel.

The trooper says that the bus was going about 80 miles an hour, following cars at dangerously close distances, illegally riding in the left lane, and improperly changing lanes.

The officer gave Elia Rodriguez, 46, a field sobriety test and a breathalyzer test. The trooper reported that Rodriguez failed both tests and placed him under arrest.

The trooper also found an open container of alcohol in the driver's area of the bus.

A state police spokesman says that Rodriguez's blood alcohol level was "well over" the legal limit.  Along with the drunken driving charge, Rodriguez faces reckless driving and other charges.

Another driver was eventually brought to the bus so the 48 passengers could continue their journey.  Bolt travels routes between Washington, D.C. and Boston.  It markets fares as low as $1 per trip.  Bolt says the driver, who has been a driver with the company since 2009, is suspended, pending the outcome of an investigation.

In an emailed statement to MyFoxNY.com the company says:  "The safety and security of our passengers is our core value and a responsibility we take very seriously. We have zero tolerance for this kind of activity."

The company says it fully refunded fares to all passengers.

The incident happened the day before a bus, headed from a Conn. casino to Manhattan, overturned in a high speed accident that left 15 people dead.  The driver in that accident passed a sobriety test.

A person on the Bolt bus (watch below) recorded a short video clip when the replacement driver explained what was going on to the passengers.