MTA driver charged with driving bus while drunk on Long Island

WESTBURY (WABC) -- An MTA bus driver is under arrest on Long Island after police say he took a bus on a joyride while drunk.

New York State Police received several calls on Sunday afternoon about an MTA bus driving erratically on the Northern State Parkway in Nassau County.

When an officer stopped the bus, 52-year-old Alexander Copeland failed a field sobriety test, according to police.

Police say Copeland was not on duty at the time and was not authorized to drive that bus. His blood alcohol level was .20, more than twice the legal limit.

Copeland is charged with reckless endangerment and aggravated DWI.

Police say had he continued on the Northern State Parkway, the bus could have gotten stuck under an overpass.

Copeland was appointed in 1998 and is suspended without pay with additional disciplinary action forthcoming.

The bus was taken from the Queens street where it was parked, near where Copeland worked. The MTA doesn't have enough room at the Jamaica Depot, so some buses are parked in the street on South Road.

Copeland was given a desk appearance ticket and is due back in court September 28.