Mason County school bus driver charged with DUI, 53 counts of child neglect

POINT PLEASANT, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Mason County bus driver is facing multiple charges after driving under the influence with children onboard.

According to the Mason County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, on Thursday, May 23, 2024, Leslie M. Watterson, age 53 of Point Pleasant, was arrested on warrants filed by the West Virginia State Police for an incident that occurred last month in the Camp Conley area of Mason County.

Prosecutors say that on April 9, 2024, officers responded to a 911 call that a school bus driver was driving erratically, including driving into the opposite lane of travel, making several wrong turns, and falling asleep at the wheel, while transporting school children.

Officers quickly made contact with the driver, Leslie Watterson, a substitute Mason County school bus driver, at which time a standard field sobriety test was performed based on the presence of several impairment indicators.

A blood draw was also obtained at Rivers Health shortly thereafter, for which consent was given.

The Mason County Prosecutor’s Office, in conjunction with the West Virginia State Police, has since determined that there is sufficient probable cause to proceed with an arrest and prosecution in this matter.

Watterson stands charged with 1 Count of “DUI in an Impaired State Involving Minors” and 53 felony Counts of “Child Neglect by a Custodian Creating a Substantial Risk of Death or Serious Bodily Injury.”

Each of the 53 Counts carries a possible prison sentence of 1-5 years.

Prosecutor Gaskins says that “he wishes to thank the public for their patience during this investigation,” noting the initial public outcry, and that he “applaud[s] the methodical work of the West Virginia State Police.”

“I know that a delay in charges in a case of this magnitude may cause many questions, but I want to assure everyone in our community that the safety of our school children is our highest priority,” Gaskins said.

“Nevertheless, it is our ethical duty as law-enforcement officers and prosecutors to be absolutely certain that we possess the requisite probable cause before we proceed with any prosecution. We are confident that we can successfully move forward at this time.”

Watterson is in custody at Western Regional Jail with a $255,000 bond. A preliminary hearing has not been scheduled at this time.