Newly released 911 audio captures Hartland school bus ride that ended in driver's arrest
HARTLAND, Wis. (CBS 58) - Newly released 911 audio gives a clearer picture of a January 2025 school bus ride in Hartland that ended with the driver in custody.
The audio captures children calling for help as they say the bus driver is acting erratically and refusing to let them off the bus.
“911, what’s your emergency? We’re being held captive by our bus driver, please help us.”
Investigators say 27 children, ages 4 to 14, were on board when the incident occurred. Students told dispatch the driver was missing stops and wouldn’t allow them to exit.
“He keeps going past our bus stops and he won’t let us out, he won’t let us out.”
Officers eventually pulled the bus over.
Police reports say Walter Cunningham admitted to taking multiple prescription medications. Officers noted his speech was slurred, and his balance appeared off. Moments later, he was arrested.
“Bring your hands to your back now, you’re being placed under arrest for OWI.”
Cunningham was originally charged with operating while intoxicated and 28 felony counts of second-degree recklessly endangering safety.
Those 28 felony counts were later dropped after a pharmacology report found no evidence of alcohol or drug impairment.
His attorney says Cunningham will plead no contest to a misdemeanor of OWI under a plea deal.
He is scheduled to return to court Monday for plea and sentencing.