Driver Operated Berkeley School Bus While Intoxicated: OCPO

BERKELEY, NJ — A bus driver for a Berkeley elementary school had children in the vehicle while intoxicated Thursday afternoon, authorities said. About 30 students from Clara B. Worth Elementary School were on Anthony Rodriguez's bus, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

School staff alerted Berkeley police at about 2:30 p.m. that the South Toms River man was acting erratically, according to the OCPO. The bus was taken off the route. All 30 children were OK and transferred onto another bus, authorities said.

Police determined Rodriguez was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the OCPO said. He refused to submit a breath sample at police headquarters, according to authorities. Officials issued a warrant for a blood sample to determine Rodriguez's blood-alcohol content. Results are pending.

Rodriguez, 64, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, driving while intoxicated, refusing to provide a breath sample, driving while intoxicated in a school zone and reckless driving, the OCPO said. He was taken to the Ocean County Jail, according to authorities.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Berkeley Police Chief Karin DiMichele thanked Clara B. Worth's administrators and staff for being attentive and quickly notifying police.

Anyone with additional info can contact Officer Scott Rudolph or Detective Michael Tier of the Berkeley Township Police Department at 732-341-1132, extension 611 or tips@btpdnj.org. Tips can be anonymous.

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