Casino Tour Bus Driver Arrested For DUI: CHP

NORTH BAY, CA — The driver of a tour bus heading for the Graton Casino in Rohnert Park Sunday was arrested on suspicion of DUI. The California Highway Patrol alleges that Angela Teasley, 34, of Richmond continued driving northbound on U.S. Highway 101 after she allowed the 2004 passenger bus to hit the right-side rail of the Golden Gate Bridge at 9:25 a.m. Sunday.

"Teasley continued without stopping," CHP Officer Jonathan Sloat of the Santa Rosa Area CHP Office said Monday afternoon in a news release. "Eventually, a passenger on the bus called 911 from her cellphone to report the collision. The passenger also stated Teasley was driving erratically, at unsafe speeds and passing on the right shoulder."

Sloat says other callers reported the bus as it traveled northbound through Marin County into Sonoma County.

"Multiple units attempted to get in position to conduct an enforcement stop as the bus drove through Petaluma," Sloat said.

However, due to a delay in information being relayed, CHP units were unable to get in front of the bus, he said.

As the bus entered the Graton Casino parking lot, Rohnert Park Public Safety officers were able to stop the bus and detain Teasley.

CHP officers arrived "moments later" and began an investigation, which included speaking with some 40 passengers as well as evaluating Teasley for driving under the influence of alcohol, Sloat said.

Teasley allegedly displayed signs of alcohol intoxication, and the evaluation revealed she had a blood-alcohol content almost four times the legal limit of .08 percent, Sloat said.

She was booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of DUI charges, including operating a commercial vehicle while impaired, according to CHP.

Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone