School bus driver charged with DWI in western NC

A school bus driver arrested Wednesday faces multiple charges, including DWI, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

A complaint of reckless driving was made around 4:30 p.m. as the bus was traveling on Catawba Springs Road in Lincoln County.

Nelson Gonzalez, 54, of Sherrills Ford, was pulled over and charged with driving while impaired, commercial vehicle driving while impaired, careless and reckless driving and misdemeanor child abuse.

According to the state Highway Patrol, Gonzalez had a blood alcohol content of 0.23. Under North Carolina law, it is illegal to operate a vehicle with an alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.  

No students were on the bus, which was from Sherrills Ford Elementary School, officials said.

Gonzalez was jailed under a $2,000 secured bond.