A bus driver was arrested for allegedly transporting the Pittsburgh Pirates while under the influence.
Officers escorting the bus on Thursday night as it was departing Chicago, where the team had just ended a series, en route to Milwaukee reportedly noticed the vehicle was acting strangely.
“During the escort, the bus driver, 61-year-old Ronald E. Funderburke from Shelby, NC, was not following the escort and was traveling away from the escorting officers,” a spokesperson with the Illinois State Police told CWB Chicago.
“Troopers observed more erratic driving and stopped the bus on the right shoulder of Interstate 94 northbound at Dempster Street,” the spokesperson added.
“After observing multiple signs of impairment, troopers arrested Funderburke for driving under the influence of alcohol and transported him to Chicago Police Department 16th District,” the spokesperson concluded.
Brian Warecki, senior vice president of communications for the Pirates, said “we are deeply concerned” about what transpired that night.
“The important thing is that all of our personnel arrived in Milwaukee safely,” Warecki said. “Buses are contracted out to a local provider, which was consistent with this trip, and we are now in communication with the appropriate parties regarding this matter.”
The Pirates made it to their destination in Milwaukee, where the team proceeded to get swept by the Brewers in a three-game series.
In other DUI-related sports news, West Virginia college basketball coach Bob Huggins was arrested Friday night and charged with driving under the influence after being pulled over in Pittsburgh.