UPDATE: School District Releases Statement Following Bus Driver Arrest
CRESTVIEW, Fla. — An Okaloosa County School District bus driver was arrested Friday afternoon after authorities determined she was operating a school bus under the influence with children on board.
The Incident
According to the Crestview Police Department, officers responded to a traffic accident at approximately 1:35 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026. The crash occurred near the busy intersection of 8th Avenue and Ferdon Boulevard (S.R. 85).
Investigators revealed that the driver of the school bus, Mechelle Prevoznik, 62, of Crestview, backed the bus into a vehicle that was stopped directly behind her. Because the collision occurred at a low speed during a backing maneuver, police confirmed there were no reported injuries to anyone involved.
Signs of Impairment and BAC Results
During the on-scene investigation, officers detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Prevoznik. Police subsequently initiated a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) investigation.
Prevoznik, who holds a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required to operate school buses, performed Field Sobriety Tests and exhibited distinct signs of impairment. She was detained and later provided a breath sample that revealed a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.048.
Florida Traffic Law: While the legal limit for standard drivers in Florida is 0.08, the state enforces a much stricter standard for commercial operators. Under Florida law, CDL drivers are prohibited from operating a vehicle with a BAC of 0.040 or higher.
Charges and Current Status
At the time of the crash, six children were passengers on the school bus. Due to the presence of the students and the driver’s recorded impairment, Prevoznik was taken into custody and faces multiple criminal charges:
- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (DUI)
- Six (6) counts of Child Neglect without Bodily Harm
Prevoznik was transported and booked into the Okaloosa County Jail without further incident.
History of Traffic Infractions
A review of public records reveals this is not Prevoznik’s first encounter with traffic enforcement. Court records indicate that Prevoznik has been involved in nine court cases concerning traffic infractions dating back to 2000.
School District Response
The Okaloosa County School District has released a statement following the arrest of a district bus driver involved in a crash while transporting students on a summer school route.
According to the district, six students and a bus assistant were aboard the bus at the time of the incident. District personnel responded immediately and contacted law enforcement. The Crestview Police Department investigated the crash, and no injuries were reported.
School officials said the students were transferred to another district bus driven by a different driver and safely transported to their destination. Parents were notified shortly after the incident.
“The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority,” the district said in its statement, adding that it maintains a zero-tolerance approach toward actions that place students at risk.
The district also confirmed that the employee has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of both the district’s investigation and the criminal case.
District officials noted that any future personnel decisions, including possible termination, will be based on the findings of the investigation and district policies.
