Before he was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated, a University of Miami bus driver’s erratic behaviour was captured on body camera.
This week’s footage revealed 45-year-old Timothy Kowalewski, a disturbed driver, as Coral Gables police reacted to a student’s 911 call.
Students reported to dispatchers on February 16 that Kowalewski crashed into a tree and then a car while veering across US Highway One.
“Are you okay?” enquired the responding officer. “Are you experiencing a medical emergency?”
According to video that Local10 was able to collect, Kowalewski shook his head and staggered out of the bus, which was parked close to a petrol station.
The irate driver apparently acknowledged that he had consumed alcohol earlier in the day and that he had no recollection of the supposed collision.
In February, 45-year-old Peter Kowalewski was taken into custody for allegedly operating a University of Miami shuttle while intoxicated.
Police said that Kowalewski’s eyes were bloodshot and he was slurring his speech.
According to the students, the driver swerved before colliding with a tree and another vehicle.
About fifteen kids were on the shuttle at the time of the event, according to the Miami Hurricane.
The Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science shuttle was on its way to the main campus.
Officials were informed by one of the children that they were “all scared as hell.”
Another person told local news, “It could have been so much worse.” “We might have been in the water if that crash had occurred on the bridge.”
The youngsters on board seemed to question Kowalewski and insist that he stop the car before the cops came.
One of the passengers in the footage that NBC6 was able to obtain demanded, “Why would you drive if you know you have students?”
“No, I’m-I’m-I’m fine,” Kowalewski said.
On board the shuttle, no injuries were reported.
Another person remarked, “Sir, we understand, but you’re not fine, you crashed twice on this car ride.”
“I did?” Kowalewski answered.
According to reports, Kowalewski acknowledged drinking earlier in the day and said he didn’t remember the collisions.
He was taken into custody by the Coral Gables Police Department and charged with two counts of property or person damage and one count of driving while intoxicated.
Police arrested the man after he allegedly refused a breathalyser test and field sobriety tests at the site.
Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center received his booking.
The shuttle driver is charged with two counts of property or person damage and one count of driving while intoxicated.
Following Kowalewski’s arrest, the University of Miami announced an investigation into the driver in a statement.
“The Coral Gables Police Department is investigating the incident involving a University of Miami campus shuttle further,” it stated.
“Our top priority continues to be the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and the larger University community.”
Kowalewski doesn’t seem to be in jail anymore, according to the county website.
The university’s investigation’s findings are yet unknown.
The Coral Gables Police Department and the University of Miami were contacted by The Daily Mail for comment.
