Philadelphia

‘Near Death Experience:' Bus Driver Arrested for DUI After Passengers Called Police

Passengers forced the driver to pull over on the highway for their safety, according to an online post

A bus full of passengers were stranded on Interstate 95 in Bucks County after their driver was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence, Pennsylvania State Police said.

The bus, packed with 55 passengers, was headed for New York City from Philadelphia's Chinatown late Saturday night when passengers forced the driver to pull over on the interstate for driving erratically, police said.

Pennsylvania State Police and Lower Makefield Police both responded and the driver was taken into custody, police said. DUI charges are pending against the 37-year-old driver, state police said.

Jeremy Walker, the bus company's owner, tells NBC10 the driver has been fired, but would not provide additional comment.

In a Yelp! post to a profile for bus operator Focus Travel, a woman called the trip "near death experience."

The woman, posting under the handle Daniella T., said the driver nearly crashed the bus three times before passengers forced the driver to stop. They then called police for help, according to the message.

"Everyone thought we would die because the bus nearly tipped over," she wrote.

The woman did not immediately respond to a message left by NBC10. Police have not confirmed the woman's account.

Police said they gave the passengers rides off the highway.

Focus Travel and related company Yep Tours have had troubles with drivers in the past.

Last August, a bus was involved in a hit-and-run near Philadelphia Police headquarters. The driver continued on a trip to Washington, D.C. and said he didn't know he hit anyone.

Earlier that summer, a driver was fired after passengers recorded him texting while driving.

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