A school bus driver transporting students from the Minot Air Force Base the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 20, has been charged with driving under the influence.

Tomas Podolski, 65, Minot, has been charged in North Central District Court with one count of DUI with a minor-.16% or greater-first offense, a Class A misdemeanor. Podolski was also charged for an open container in traffic court.

According to court documents, Ward County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Bomber Boulevard and U.S. Highway 83 North shortly before 8 a.m. for a report of an intoxicated bus driver at the Minot AFB South gate. Base Law Enforcement Dispatch reported the school bus was pulled over at the south gate after several complaints were received. The driver was identified as Podolski, who exhibited slurred speech.

According to the affidavit, Podolski told deputies he had one drink that morning before his shift. Podolski refused to perform standard field sobriety tests, but a chemical breath test conducted at the Ward County Detention Center registered a 0.214 alcohol content. A clear plastic bottle containing vodka was located on the bus, which was transporting roughly 18 Minot North High School students, according to the affidavit.

Based on court records, Podolski paid the $50 fine for the open container citation, posted a $75 bond and signed a promise to appear for an initial appearance Monday, Sept. 8.

Podolski drove for Northland Bus Services, which has the contract for some routes for Minot Public Schools. MPS Superintendent Scott Faul confirmed Podolski is no longer employed by Northland Bus, and the district would be taking over the specific route related to the incident.