Hartland bus driver OWI arrest; 911 audio released from 2025 incident
911 call released in Hartland bus driver OWI arrest
Newly released 911 audio reveals panic during a January 2025 Hartland bus ride that led to OWI and 28 endangerment charges against 73-year-old driver Walter Cunningham.
HARTLAND, Wis. - "The most terrifying day of my life." That’s how one Hartland student described a January 2025 bus ride that ended with the driver in custody.
What we know:
Newly released 911 audio captures what investigators describe as panic and confusion aboard a school bus carrying 27 children between the ages of 4 and 14.
Prosecutors charged 73-year-old Walter Cunningham with operating while intoxicated and 28 counts of second-degree recklessly endangering safety.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android
According to investigators, several children told their parents Cunningham "almost crashed into a car," while another said "the bus was going so fast it was going to tip."
Officers responding to the scene reported seeing children running away from the bus before they pulled it over.
Dig deeper:
Investigators conducted multiple field sobriety tests. Authorities say Cunningham’s speech was slurred, his eyes were glassy, and his balance was not normal.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
A representative of the bus company told police it was not Cunningham’s normal route and described the situation as a misunderstanding. Prosecutors say the company indicated Cunningham missed the initial stop and turned into a subdivision, leading children to believe their stop had been skipped.
Cunningham was then arrested. He is scheduled to return to court Monday for a plea and sentencing hearing.
School bus driver OWI; Hartland man charged with 29 total counts
A Hartland man is accused of operating a school bus while intoxicated with students on board on Monday.
The Source: FOX6 News obtained the 911 audio and previously covered the incident.