Last Updated: Friday, 3:07 p.m.
On Monday, Flagler County school bus driver Mark McNeill was involved in a crash with a sedan as he was ferrying 23 students from Old Kings Elementary in Palm Coast’s F-Section. No students were injured. The driver sustained minor injuries. The district automatically tested him for drugs and alcohol. His test came back negative.
On Wednesday, McNeill was arrested on a charge of drunk driving, a felony charge of child neglect and a charge of resisting an officer as he was driving the same “Giraffe” bus, this time ferrying some 40 students from Buddy Taylor Middle School on the afternoon run. “My daughter was on this bus,” a parent wrote on Twitter. “Guy was so drunk when they chased him down and boarded the bus he fell in the ditch exiting the bus. Daughter called me legitimately scared. Not good!”
By Friday, McNeill was facing 15 felony child neglect charges, each a third-degree felony.
McNeill’s arrest report paints a disturbing series of incidents after a school bus depot employee smelled alcohol on his breath. It’s not clear why, in that case, he was allowed to take control of a bus. He then repeatedly refused to pull over and stop the bus when commanded to do so by the transportation director, by phone or radio, was allegedly belligerent with law enforcement when deputies pulled him over, and continued to be belligerent at the local hospital, where he was taken before his jail booking.
Only after he arrived at the county jail for booking did he comply with two breathalizer tests. They registered blood-alcohol levels of .320 and .310, an extremely high level associated with blood poisoning and loss of consciousness. The legal limit for drivers in Florida is 0.08, though as a school bus driver he was required to abstain entirely.
According to the arrest report, a staffer at the bus depot, unnamed in the report, told Transportation Director Dontarrious Rowls that she’d observed McNeill between 12:50 and 1 p.m. and smelled alcohol on his breath. Rowls told deputies he “jumped into action” at 2 p.m., when the staffer told him of what she’d observed. By then McNeill was driving, on his way to picking up students at Buddy Taylor.
Rowls started communicating with McNeill and told him “on several occasions to pull over,” according to the report, “but [McNeill] refused to follow directions.” The district’s Keyonda Gilmore, who handles transportation safety, had been informed by yet another staffer that McNeill’s breath smelled of alcohol, also at 2 p.m., and got on the radio to order him to pull over. He ignored her, too. She was in her vehicle when she spotted him, ordering him yet again to pull over. When she got behind him, he finally complied.
The report makes no mention of law enforcement’s involvement at this point, meaning that no law enforcement officer witnessed McNeill at the wheel of his vehicle, “in actual physical control” of it, as the law states. But buses are equipped with surveillance video. (Rowls was asked in an email shortly after 11 a.m. today why McNeill was allowed to board a bus if an employee smelled alcohol on him, why the employee’s notification to him took an hour, and why law enforcement wasn’t contacted when he was urging McNeill to pull over. Rowls said he declined to respond while the matter was under investigation.)
McNeill stopped the bus at Karas Trail and Karat Path in Seminole Woods. As he exited the bus, it states, he “fell to the ground in front of the bus laying on the ground at Karat Path complaining that he could not breath[e] and that his legs hurt.” A Flagler County Fire Rescue ambulance took him to AdventHealth Palm Coast, only for McNeill to jump out of the ambulance once there, and run around the hospital grounds, his legs apparently no longer hurting. A sheriff’s deputy eventually caught him in the campus’s hospice area, well away from the emergency room entrance.
When the deputy asked him if he’d been drinking, McNeill said he had not. He then repeatedly refused to carry out field sobriety exercises. The deputy reported him being “very argumentative” and that he “would not follow simple instructions.” He became “increasingly agitated” when the deputy told him that he could face arrest even without sobriety exercises, based on the deputy’s observations. He was then handcuffed, at which point he became compliant. The time of arrest was 3:21 p.m., 15 minutes after the deputy had arrived at the hospital grounds. His breath samples at the jail were taken at 3:50 and 4:10 p.m.
The report states that the bus McNeill was driving “had approximately 40 juvenile students” aboard. The child neglect charge is being filed at one parent’s request. Additional such charges did follow, as additional parents opted to press them on behalf of their child. The Sheriff’s Office, through its own investigation, could have identified students and filed the charges. Since law enforcement was not contacted when the bus was by the side of the road, no deputies could identify anyone there.
McNeill bonded out, posting bail on $4,000 bond. He has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of both the Flagler County Sheriff’s and the school district’s investigations, Kristy Gavin, the school district’s attorney, said this morning.
McNeill, 60, of Sunny Shore Drive in Ormond Beach, started driving for Flagler schools as a substitute in April 2017, when it was customary for drivers to start as substitutes before moving into full-time driving. He became a full-time driver that September, and is currently making $15.87 an hour.
Since he was not impaired in Monday’s crash, he was back driving. He was in Palm Coast’s K Section when Wednesday’s incident took place.
Gavin said that in the five years McNeill has been driving for the district, “he was not on our radar for issues.” She said both incidents will result in a review by the district’s Accident Review Committee. The committee goes by a point system, assigning given points to various factors in the incident. If the points add up to 10 or 12, then the recommendation is termination., Gavin said. The points are cumulative. In other words, the Monday and Wednesday incidents could combine for 12 points, though the likelihood, after Wednesday’s incident, is that that incident alone will be judged gravely of its own.
It can take months, if not a year or more, for drunk driving and child neglect charges to wend their way through court, especially if the individual is contesting the charges. McNeill faces a misdemeanor DUI charge. The felony charge could possibly be pleaded down to a misdemeanor, though the nature of the case, and the number of children involved, makes that more difficult.
When a bus driver gets a DUI on his or her own time, it’s not necessarily an automatic firing, Gavin said. The driver will be recommended to take drug or alcohol counseling. But it’s an entirely different situation when the driver gets a DUI charge on the job.
The district has been experiencing a severe bus driver shortage but McNeill wasn’t a quick, recent hire. “We’ve had a shortage, everybody has had shortage,” Jason Wheeler, the district’s spokesman, said. “We’ve been able to get by. It’s gotten better than it was at the beginning of the year but you can always use bus drivers.”
Flagler Schools’ Transportation Procedures Handbook (2022):
Click to access Transportation-Handbook-1-27-2022-1.pdf
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Percy's mother says
Here’s another possibility . . . it’s possible the man is extremely ill, such as being an out-of-control diabetic.
I remember a case about 40 years ago (I happened to know the family at the time, so this was directly from the daughter) . . .
A diabetic MD went to visit his homeland of India. The MD and his wife and children were living in Connecticut at the time. He was very well-known and well-respected as a good MD in his community in Connecticut. He apparently (according to the daughter) was not in compliance with his diet or his diabetic medication while visiting family in India (as most of us tend to go off course with our regular daily habits while on vacation). On the way back to the U.S. he became extremely ill with an alcohol-like (not fruity) odor to his breath, was barely able to stand, and appeared to be drunk or “reeling” around the airport. He was apprehended in the New Delhi airport for “drunken behavior”. He was actually on the verge of a diabetic coma, yet had all the signs of being a drunk.
The alcohol-like odor to the breath would be an OH (alcohol). Not knowing anything about breathalizers does the test just register or differentiate an OH level?
Has, or did, anyone think to check the man’s blood sugar????? He may actually be extremely ill and may not even know it. He may be the type to never go to a doctor, so it’s possible he may be extremely ill.
Just thought I’d add this before the rabid community starts piling up with vicious comments about this man. Sometimes things are not as they seem.
Pissed in PC says
The BAC test that’s run only tests for alcohol. If they took his blood at the hospital then that can differentiate between alcohol, drugs or a medical issue. It doesn’t sound like a blood test was done if he was running around the hospital.
Anonymous says
They stated in the article his blood alcohol level was 0.320, a level so high it is associated with blood alcohol POISONING. He was over 3x the legal limit when he was pulled over driving those innocent children around.
Lynnette says
Thank goodness everyone is alright. It could have been fatal for both the kids and the driver. I doubt a felony charge, although it’s certainly on the books to be charged, will stop this man from driving again once out, although he won’t be able to in a Palm Coast bus. Hopefully a court will force him into a long term (at least a full year,) inpatient substance abuse program, where he can be locked down and get real treatment and gain insight into the reason he drinks enough to poison himself, before he kills his liver and dies. To blow a .3 at least 3 hours after doing the drinking is HUGE. The bus drivers should be randomly drug/alcohol tested without ever knowing when every few months. The kids deserve to be safe. The driver won’t be helped in prison, but should go to court and be put in a lockdown treatment program as a threat to himself and others. If not, he’ll just get out one day and be in the roads drunk again with your families. The Transportation Safety person also needs to be replaced, as there was plenty of time to prevent him after the report of booze on his breath from ever getting in the driver’s seat. There was no excuse for him to board that bus. Rules need to be looked at hard.
Mark says
Oh sure defend the old white man who put 40 children’s lives at risk, but we crucify a young black man for peddling drugs to feed his family.
MikeM says
Maybe the black man should have gotten a job or two to feed his family. That would be the proper response. Now his family will be fending for themselves.
Mark says
Meanwhile the white man bus driver gets a job or two and drinks,possibly could have killed 40 children . I’ll take the the man who sells drugs over the man who works while using drugs
Sienna Mcdowell says
I was on the bus as a student and it was really scary he also let off a big group of kids not even at a bus stop and they ran away from the bus scared
Anonymous says
I would be furious if any of the children on the bus were mine! Not acceptable and complete child endangerment.
Linda Morgan says
Suspended with pay? My granddaughter was on that bus and I just talked to her. She is 14 and a bit overwhelmed with the experience. I had just finished reading the article when she called me and shared the story and tell me she was on that bus. The story she told is concistent with the article. I am overwhelmed at the news and of course think of the other outcomes this story could have had. I am very thankful that everyone is alright. I feel sick to my stomach.
Ann says
My grandson was on that bus , he called me and I could not understand a word he was saying he was so frantic , he is 12 years old😡
Makers Mark says
The facts will come out. He here who has never driven after a lot of drinks cast the first stone. Car accidents happen every day to people who arent drinking. Thats why they call it an accident. Besides .320 blood alcohol isnt that high. Ive seen better.
Ann says
Wow
So that’s not high ?
Did u have a child on that bus ?
A drunk driving around with 40 children in their care we’ll see just how hi that is and how much jail time he gets .
Your comment is ridiculous!
G A says
FYI…thanks for letting us know you think this is a nothing sandwich. Just let us know when you are out on the road then, so the rest of us can stay home!
.30 – .34 If you are still conscious, you are in a stupor. You likely have no comprehension of where you are or what you are doing. There have been numerous cases of alcohol poisoning and death in this range of BAC. You are in need of medical help.
.35 & up You have reached the level of surgical anesthesia. Coma is possible. The lungs and heart rate are slowing to the point of stopping. You need immediate medical help.
Jp says
.35 is about 12 drinks… and more than enough to be extremely dangerous.
Al says
As a parent of a child who was killed by a multi time offender…. I would not wish anyone to live what we have gone through… however; I am quite certain that you would be embarrassed by your comments above. This persons license should be revoked for life. Driving is a privilege .
Linda Morgan says
I am truly sorry for your loss. No parent should have to bury their child.
Concerned Citizen says
AL,
I am right there with you. Many years ago I was a young Deputy Sheriff just out of the Airforce. I was dating a Nurse at our local ER. She was killed one morning on the way home from work. A drunk driver who blew more than twice the legal limit t-boned her running a light. She never saw it coming. He walked away with minor injuries.
During the course of the investigation it was found that he was a habitual violator which is a felony in the State of Ga. He was driving on a revoked license and was on probation for another offense. He ended up beling allowed to plea to an 18 month sentence for vehicular manslaughter and some other charges. Got credit for time served and 5 years probation. And in the course of all of this I had to put up with superiors coming to me and making sure I knew to stay away from him.
If many commentors wonder why I take such a harsh view on low bonds and silly pleas this is the major reason. Not to mention in my 30 year career working as a Deputy then moving to Fire Rescue I have literally seen it all. And been personally affected by some of it.
I get tired of hearing oh he made a mistake. No sir/mam. DUI under any substance is a choice. Not a mistake. And a poor one at that. There are way to many options for you to make it home safely to justify a DUI. Let’s start taking appropriate action so we can safeguard the lives of others.
Oh and I still expect the yard supervisor to be held fully responsible. This dude was reported. And was still allowed to go on a route.
Just Me says
Another upstanding Flagler County resident. Just wondering why these school bus drivers don’t have to pass some sort of test before they get on to a bus to do a run? Sounds like that department needs to do some cleaning up in management and its bus drivers.
Wow says
They do actually have to have training, tests, physicals and frequent fitness tests.
Just saying says
He lives in Ormond Beach. That is not Flagler County.
The dude says
Ormond Beach is actually much nicer than Flagler county.
Snickers says
Not that it matters, but it was made clear that the the driver lives in Ormond. Try reading and attempting to understand the words before blurting.
Hmfic75 says
Read the article he’s from Ormond Beach
Ramone says
How do we know he didn’t drink while he was running around the hospital grounds? I thought a law enforcement officer had to witness the impaired driving and then they must remain in their custody and control until the breath or blood test is administered? This one might get thrown out before it even makes it to court.
Hmmm says
You can get a DUI just by being in the vehicle with the keys. You dont even have to be physically driving.
LetsBeReal says
I knew somebody that got a DUI in his car and his license was suspended and the following week he got a DUI on his bicycle.
P. Ribbon says
Since the kids are wearing covid masks already. We could put in seatbelts and provide crash helmets. That way, just in case something like this happens again, the kids are safe. You never know when a bus driver by be stressed and have a nip or two.
Ann says
UNBELIEVABLE THAT HE WAS ABLE TO LEAVE THE SCHOOL PROPERTY!!!!
THE SCHOOL HAS SOME RESPONSIBILITY HERE !!!!
LC says
How so? The drivers don’t leave the buses. They have no interactions with school staff. The drivers pull into a spot, the kids get on, the bus leaves. The article says a co-worker smelled the alcohol, not anyone from the school. The co-worker bears the responsibility of not saying anything so he could drive off with the wrong bus in the first place.
Robin says
ONE OF THE MOST DISTURBING POINTS IN THIS IS THAT SOMEONE SMELLED ALCOHOL ON HIS BREATH
AND LET HIM DRIVE THAT BUS !!!!!!
THIS PERSON ALSO NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH 😡😡😡😡
Steve says
.08 is the BAC limit WOW He blew that out of the Park. Hope the Kids get over it ok Geeez SMH
Sue says
I work at a local liquor store & this man is in every day in the afternoon & buys two pints of vodka. He’s not drinking when he comes in or I would have refused to sell to him. But it’s always early afternoon or late morning so before he would be picking up any children from school. Had I known he was a bus driver I would have called the school board on him. He needs to be fired. He put these children lives in serious danger. He has a serious drinking problem!!!
Mark says
“School bus driver arrested for drunk driving.”
I’m betting that the school administration frowns on that sort of thing.
Ray W. says
Several commenters express confusion about how the bus driver could have presented such odd behaviors before, during, and after his driving the bus.
I have posted about this nearly 30-year-old case before, involving around a 0.38 hospital blood draw BAC (at that time hospital blood draws taken by ER personnel tested serum, not whole blood). A significant coincidence occurred in the case because a psychiatrist who had served his residency at a VA facility walked out of a beachside restaurant on the north causeway in New Smyrna Beach towards his car parked across the street just as a man driving a pickup sideswiped the car. The psychiatrist focused on the driver’s facial reaction to the collision and formed a preliminary diagnosis of alcohol-induced blackout, because the driver did not react at all to the impact other than to return the truck into the proper lane of traffic and continue driving as if nothing had happened. The psychiatrist and his wife got in their car; he then followed the truck westbound across the old causeway drawbridge. The truck driver drove onto the sidewalk where the bridge curved and struck four fishermen, severely injuring three. A front wheel assembly was torn from its suspension mounts as it struck the raised concrete sidewalk. The driver made it across the bridge on three wheels and pulled over into a public park. The psychiatrist pulled up near the parked truck and watched a collecting mob surround the driver. Despite loud death threats from other fishermen surrounding the driver, he stood immobile and unresponsive while staring at the front wheel well of his truck that lacked a wheel. The psychiatrist observed enough to conclude that the driver was, indeed, in an alcohol-induced blackout. Hours later, in a hospital emergency room where the driver was being observed to prevent the onset of a possible alcohol-induced coma, a police officer reported that the driver suddenly looked around and asked where he was and how he got there.
During deposition, the psychiatrist explained that individuals who present as being in an alcohol-induced blackout are fully capable of walking, talking and observing their surroundings, albeit in an impaired state. They can handle routine things. In the truck driver’s case, he had been at a neighborhood bar and was driving home in a neighborhood where he had lived his entire life. The psychiatrist stated that he watched the truck driver stop at a red light before driving onto the bridge. He also stated that someone in that condition would be on some form of “autopilot” if the route was a familiar roadway. A person can respond, albeit badly, to external stimuli, such as a red light, but would not be able to process an unfamiliar event. Such a person might entirely lack a memory of the driving event, because an alcohol-induced blackout often affects short-term memory. The psychiatrist also explained that he had encountered individuals who had been brought into his VA facility who tested with BAC levels above 0.40, with one testing at 0.45; they could walk, talk, answer questions and engage in conversation. He described them as professional drunks who could tolerate extremely high BAC levels.
Such people, lacking any memory of the events surrounding an alcohol-induced blackout, are highly susceptible to confabulating their involvement in the event. Some of them never form confabulated memories; they accept that they cannot remember what happened. That doesn’t mean they don’t try to remember. Since such an unremembered and negative event often conflicts with their self-image (good people just cannot do such bad things), the accompanying cognitive dissonance they experience after learning of their involvement in a negative event about which they have no memory prompts them to be easily led to internalize any explanation that comports with their self-image. A double homicide event from the 1960’s involved a man who picked up two hitchhikers while driving to Miami. He wanted to drink, so he got into the backseat and let the hitchhikers drive as he drank himself into an alcohol-induced blackout. While stopped at a red light in a small town, the two men tried to rob him. He shot them both. I spoke with the psychiatrist who testified in that case (different psychiatrist). He explained that the shooter had no memory of the event and had formed an elaborate explanation of the shooting that did not fit the physical evidence and onlooker eyewitness testimony preserved by the investigating officers.
According to relevant literature, a confabulation is not a lie. A liar consciously presents untrue information with the intent to deceive or manipulate others (for example, that insurrectionists are true patriots). A confabulator is not lying; he is describing a false (confabulated) scenario while unconsciously unaware that what he “remembers” is untrue.
Al says
As a parent of a child who was killed by a multi time DUI offender…. This persons license should be revoked for life. Driving is a privilege .
Chill Will says
I could understand all this hooplah if the bus was fully loaded, but there were only 40 kids on the bus while he was drunk. Cmon people dont be so dramatic.
Mike says
You need to check his sugar . High sugar level do crazy thing to people. There is something else going on not him being drunk. He could of die know one went and check on him.
JimBob says
At least he didn’t mention CRT, which really frightens Flagler parents.
Confused Person says
As it should
ASF says
People who are big time drinkers develop a tolerance to alcohol…That’s how they can drink to a .30+ BAC and still be walking around when most others would be passed out (although a few people do have naturally high tolerance levels.) Having a high tolerance level is not a “gift.” When enough damage is done to the liver, that tolerance will disappear and that will signal the end-stage of alcoholism.
Resident says
I wonder if this county checks their driving records from the state or their prior states before employment. They did decades ago in this county. They also need to know charges to look for in addition to DUI’s, such as reckless driving or careless driving – most often those are plead down from a DUI. I hoped they checked to see if he was carrying something to drink on the bus….tea, soda, water….it would be easy to disguise vodka. This would not be his first day to drink with a level that high.
Timothy Patrick Welch says
Hmmm
Puts into question his supervisor, and the policies and procedures in place.
Mm says
U kidding me get a job ! Peddling drugs wtf!