Lawsuit: School bus driver arrested for DUI at fault in prior wreck involving bus

MADISON COUNTY, AL (AP) - A civil lawsuit has been filed against a Madison County bus driver who's already facing charges of driving under the influence.

The filing states James George Watwood, Jr, of Brownsboro, caused the wreck that severely injured another driver. The lawsuit says Watwood was driving a school bus at the time of the crash.

The plaintiff accuses Watwood of losing control of the bus. The filing states the other driver suffered neck and back injuries as well as soft tissue injuries to his body.

State troopers arrested Watwood on May 16 after witnesses reported his school bus ran off the road and hit a mailbox. Parents say children were on the bus when it happened, but they were already at school at the time of the traffic stop.

Watwood was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance.

School leaders say Watwood resigned following his arrest. A request has been made for Watwood's records with the school system.

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