Minnetonka School Bus Driver Cited for Reckless Driving

A Minnetonka school bus driver was cited for reckless driving while 60 children were onboard. The incident occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m., Nov. 29 on Highway 101 in Minnetonka. The bus was headed to Clear Springs Elementary.

According to a police report, bus driver Christopher Upton, 23, swerved more than once, fishtailed and hit a curb before he was pulled over and given the citation.

Minnetonka Police Chief Mark Raquet said he's never heard of anything like this before.

"This was a very unusual circumstance," he said. "It's pretty irresponsible."

Clear Springs parents were sent an on Tuesday, one day after the incident. In that email, Principal Curt Carpenter wrote, "The students I spoke with did not feel unsafe at any time, however, we feel any action of this kind is unsafe. The company that provides our services has worked with the district on this matter and the driver is no longer driving on a Minnetonka route."

The police report said Upton told police, he was "sorry", and that he was "just trying to have some fun with my students."

But Chief Raquet doubts all the students enjoyed the wild ride, "I don't know that all of his kids were necessarily having fun. I'm sure there were some kids who were probably pretty unsettled."

Clear Springs parent, Jackie Lahti is a member of the school's Parent Teacher Organization. In an email to Patch earlier today she said, "I feel that the situation was handled promptly and appropriately by both the police department and the bus company."

Maureen Richmond, spokesperson for the bus company, First Student, said, "Fortunately there were no injuries or damages to the bus." According to Richmond, Upton has been terminated. She also added, "We do not consider that fun."