Court News

Bus driver accused of driving school kids into Yellowstone while drunk, sentenced

Posted: Feb 1, 2012 6:27 AM by Erin Yeykal- KBZK News
Updated: Feb 1, 2012 7:54 AM

BOZEMAN - A former bus driver accused of being under the influence of alcohol when he drove a bus full of Bozeman students to Yellowstone National Park in June was sentenced Tuesday.

Jack Parrent must serve 180 days in jail followed by two years of supervised release. A prosecutor says Parrent is in jail now in the park before being transferred to Bighorn County jail in Wyoming.

Earlier this month, U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Cole issued a ruling, determining that Parrent is guilty two counts related to the June incident - knowingly operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content greater than 0.08 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath and knowingly operating a commercial vehicle while on duty with a detectable amount of alcohol.

A third count - knowingly operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol to a degree rendering the operator incapable of safe operation - was dismissed.

Another bus driver, Kevin Stark, pleaded guilty earlier and testified at Parrent's trial.

The men were driving two Karst Stage buses from Bozeman's Sacajawea Middle School on June 3 during an overnight field trip to Yellowstone National Park. Charging documents say the men were seen driving erratically in the park after a late night of drinking in Gardiner.

Stark testified at the trial that he and Parrent went out drinking in Gardiner the night before they were to drive the Sacajawea Middle School students into the park. Stark said the next morning when he arrived at where they were supposed to pick up the students, Parrent wasn't there and he had to go wake him up at his hotel room.

The desk clerk at the Super 8 in Gardiner where the men were staying also testified. Colter Newman said Parrent came into the hotel at around 2:30 or 3 a.m. escorted by Park County Sheriff's deputies. He said the deputies escorted Parrent to his room. Newman said he realized Parrent was a bus driver and called Karst Stage and Yellowstone National Park dispatch to let people know that he did not consider it safe for Parrent to be driving a commercial vehicle.

Park County Deputy Greg Todd also testified, saying he saw Parrent throw a beer can into the street in downtown Gardiner that night. He said he realized that Parrent was lost and took him to the Super 8. Todd testified that Parrent was slurring his words and not compliant and also claimed to be a member of another law enforcement agency.

Also taking the stand were two park rangers who arrested Parrent and Stark that morning.

Topics: Drunk, Montana, DUI, Yellowstone