Keith Jones
Keith Jones, 46, a bus driver for First Student, was arrested by a Billings Police Department Student Resource Officer for DUI. On Thursday, September 17, several students on a bus on its way to Ben Steele Middle School reported to a school staff member that Jones was driving erratically, and they felt unsafe. That staff member contacted the police.
Upon arrival at the school, the Student Resource Officer began an investigation into the allegations. Subsequently, Jones was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence and 28 counts of felony criminal endangerment, one for each student riding on the bus. The driver is currently in custody at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility. No injuries were reported.
According to First Student, Jones has also been fired from his job. Jay Brock, First Student spokesperson stated, “We are incredibly disappointed by our former driver’s actions. First Student has a zero-tolerance policy for employees whose actions may put others at risk. Behavior such as this is completely unacceptable and at odds with what we stand for as a company.”
Brock adds, “At First Student, there is nothing more important than the safety of the students we transport. We have been working with the authorities to support their investigation. We understand and share in the concern this incident has caused.”
