Chicago Megabus Driver Arrested for DUI

Megabus driver admitted to drinking, failed a sobriety test

The driver of a bus taking passengers from Chicago to Iowa City and Des Moines was arrested on drunken driving charges Friday night.

The Iowa State Patrol pulled over the Megabus around 10 p.m. Friday on Interstate 80 near Iowa City. The driver, 52-year-old Carl Smiley, of Chicago, was being held Saturday in the Johnson County jail on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

According to court documents, this would be Smiley's second DUI offense.

Chicago attorney John Tantazis was among the 30 to 40 passengers on the bus. He told The Press-Citizen the bus had been swerving but he thought it was the wind.

Police records say Smiley smelled of alcohol, admitted to drinking and failed a sobriety test.

The company is investigating the incident, according to Megabus director Edward Hodgson. He declined to comment on whether Smiley would be fired.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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