Party Bus Driver Charged with DUI While On The Job

A party bus driver, Brandon Smith, has been charged with Driving Under the Influence after he left his passengers stranded and later drove into a utility pole.

The police report states that the passengers rented the bus through a company called “Party Bus Kings.” When the group returned to the bus around 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, Smith refused to allow them to enter the bus. He looked at them and drove off. As Atlanta Police Sgt. Greg Lyon says, "they were literally left high and dry."

After abandoning his passengers, Smith slammed the bus into a utility pole, a street sign, a car, and a tree. Police found Smith at Juniper Street and North Avenue, and reported that the bus hit a utility pole, which caused it to fall on top of a parked car. Police suspect that Smith may have been involved in several hit and run incidents throughout the night.  For each hit and run offense, he will be facing a separate misdemeanor offense.  If anyone was seriously injured, he will then be facing felony charges.  Either way, this type of behavior will severely punished.

The owner of the bus, Tremayne Williams, privately contracted with Smith to drive the party bus.  “He showed up to pick them up from his location, but he didn't show up to pick them up from the bar he dropped them off at,” Williams explains. After he didn't hear from Smith for several hours, Williams called police and reported the bus stolen. Williams notes that this is the first issue he has had with Smith as a driver. “He's done good. He's a good guy. I haven't had any problems with him in the past at all. Just surprisingly, this happened tonight,” said Williams.

While Smith was not seriously injured, he is facing a number of charges, including Driving Under the Influence.  Again, he will be charged for any potential hit and run offenses if it is determined he is responsible for other accidents.

As Sgt. Lyon points out, Atlanta offers dozens of party bus services that provide safe means of transportation for people who want to have a night on the town. Luckily, no passengers were in the vehicle at the time of the crash. Still, it is unfortunate that people who made responsible travel arrangements were left without a ride home.

If you have been charged with a DUI in Georgia, contact your Atlanta DUI Attorney today. Atlanta DUI Lawyer Richard Lawson is a former DUI Prosecutor with over 20 years experience defending people accused of DUI throughout Metro Atlanta and North Georgia. Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  We are here when you need us most.