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
Our newsroom has reached out to the Okaloosa County School District Superintendent’s office for comment regarding Prevoznik’s employment status, hiring background checks, and the district’s safety protocols. We are currently waiting on a response and will update this story as more information becomes available.
