School bus driver faces DUI charges

YUCCA VALLEY — A school bus driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and child endangerment Monday morning shortly before 7:30 a.m., according to Officer Rob McLoud of the California Highway Patrol.

Randall Loyd Hampton, 60, of Pioneertown, was driving a First Student bus that he had just unloaded at the time of his arrest, McLoud said.

The CHP was informed of Hampton’s possible impairment by a concerned citizen, and officers Levi Miller and Rob McLoud initiated a search for the bus driver.

After obtaining Hampton’s bus route from the bus yard, they intercepted him on Sunnyslope Drive west of La Contenta Road. Hampton had just dropped off a busload of children at La Contenta Middle School.

McLoud said when Hampton was contacted, the odor of alcohol was detected on his breath, and the officers observed other signs of alcohol impairment.

He is being held on $100,000 bail.