The Connecticut Post reported that the school bus driver who fell asleep at the wheel multiple times while transporting 30 Shelton Intermediate School students told police he had taken methadone and possibly Nyquil before working that day.
Paul Pixley, 55, of Derby, also told police that he had a drug problem in the past, but does not now.
The bus driver said he had taken 80 milligrams of methadone. The opioid is used as a maintenance therapy for people with drug dependence, often heroin. He may also have accidentally taken Nyquil instead of Dayquil, because he felt sick that day. Nyquil and methadone can both cause sleepiness.
Pixley was arrested Wednesday and charged with 30 counts of risk of injury to a minor, second-degree breach of peace, second-degree reckless endangerment, and reckless driving and held on $75,000 bond.
