Kentucky Man Arrested After Stolen Blount County School Bus Finally Stopped in Jefferson County

BIRMINGHAM, AL - A stolen Blount County school bus was chased for several miles through Jefferson County Monday before Alabama State Troopers and Jefferson County Sheriff's deputies finally stopped the bus on Interstate 459. There were no children aboard the bus, according to reports. The chase began at approximate 8:00 Monday morning after the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office was contacted by the Blount County Shieriff's Department regarding the bus.

The man has been identified as Brandon Peckinpaugh of Kentucky. He has been charged with attempting to elude law enforcement, resisting arrest and reckless endangerment. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is seeking attempted murder charges as well.

The chase meandered through multiple jurisdictions, according to a report from Jefferson County. The bus was finally stopped near Acton Road in Hoover. The bus was reportedly taken from the Hayden area, and more than 30 law enforcement vehicles were involved in the chase. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Birmingham Patch morning newsletter.)

Reports from Jefferson County indicate that the man driving the bus was armed, and threw two guns out the bus window before hitting a state trooper's car with the bus and attempting to hit other vehicles.

WVTM posted footage of the chase on its Twitter feed.

Blount County Superintendent Rodney Green told ABC 33/40 the stolen bus was parked at the house of the assigned driver. He said the driver came out of her house around 5:50 a.m. and discovered the bus had been stolen. The driver called and informed the school system’s mechanic shop, who then notified the sheriff’s office.

(Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Jail)