Ohio bus driver arrested, charged with OVI and endangering children after driving middle school students to an athletic event

An Ohio bus driver was arrested and charged with OVI, endangering children, and other charges after driving middle school students to an athletic event according to police.

Cambridge, Ohio police say a substitute bus driver, Ronald Irvin Vah, was arrested after he took Martins Ferry Middle School students to Cambridge for a volleyball game on Monday night.

Police say they were called to the school after they received word that a bus driver from Martins Ferry may be under the influence.

According to the police report, witnesses say Vah almost crashed into multiple cars on the Interstate near St. Clairsville where there was a stop on the Interstate. Witnesses also told police that driver was screaming, and unsteady on his feet by wobbling and swaying.

When police made contact with Vah, police say when asked about being under the influence he said “no, maybe a little bit tired from being out at the lake all weekend and working all day.” Vah said he has two jobs being a substitute bus driver and being an environmental water tester for Quality Environmental Service. Police say while speaking to Vah they noticed a strong smell of alcohol. Vah also allegedly told police that he hasn’t had a dink in a couple of months and he doesn’t really drink.

When doing standardized field sobriety tests, Vah said he has been dealing with prostate cancer and taking medications Orgovyx and Xtandi. He also says Ibuprofen and Meloxicam for joint pain. Police say Vah advised that Orgovyx and Xtandi turn you into a woman as it lowers your testosterone and it is hard to deal with. Vah also allegedly advised that he applied for disability and he is not sure if he will be allowed to drive the bus being on Orgovyx and Xtandi. Police asked if the medication had warnings about operating heavy machinery and police say Vah shook his head yes, he also said yes to being drowsy when taking the medication according to police.

Police also say Vah took the current gig because he was trying to help out the bus garage manager as they are short on bus drivers.

Police say Vah failed the field sobriety tests. When checking the bus, police say they found a cooler sitting on the floor next to the driver’s seat. Police say they opened the cooler and found mail, medicine bottles, Vah’s wallet, icepacks and two water bottles, and a stainless steel tumbler with liquid inside. Police said the tumbler smelled of alcohol.

Vah was taken to the State Patrol Post and was offered a breath test and refused the best at the station because he told police that he already gave three breath tests. Police said they advised that those were preliminary breath tests. Vah allegedly told police they were pushing an agenda and would like to see a lawyer.

Vah was charged with Operating a Vehicle Impaired (OVI), implied consent to chemical tests, physical control, and endangering children.

Vah was released into his wife’s custody on Wednesday and pled not guilty to all charges.

Vah is set to be back in court on October 28.

On Tuesday Martins Ferry Superintendent Jim Fogle said all the students and staff who were on the bus were safe and all students were transported home by parents in attendance.

Martins Ferry Schools Administration is investigating the incident, and any findings of misconduct will be handled in accordance with the Martins Ferry Schools policy.

Martins Ferry City School District says, “The safety of students and staff members is and will always be the Board of Education’s top priority.”

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