SNOHOMISH — Eleven senior citizens missed touring the tulips on Wednesday after their van driver was arrested for impaired driving while crossing the U.S. 2 trestle.
The passengers were picked up at the Snohomish Senior Center around 11 a.m. They were headed to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.
Once behind the wheel and headed out of town, the volunteer driver, 45, ran stop signs, drove over curbs and wove in and out of traffic, Washington State Patrol Trooper Mark Francis said.
Several passengers yelled at him to pull over. As they headed westbound on the U.S. 2 trestle a few noticed a trooper who had pulled over another vehicle. They pointed at the trooper and yelled at the driver to stop, Francis said.
At 55 mph the man slammed on the brakes and nearly took out a concrete barrier, Francis said. The driver pulled to the shoulder and a few of the passengers filed off the bus. The trooper went over to investigate.
“They told the trooper the man was eating and drinking and talking on his cellphone,” Francis said.
The man appeared to be under the influence, but didn’t seem to be drunk. He allegedly told the trooper he had taken some medication. The man was arrested and booked into the Snohomish County Jail. No one was injured.
The senior center sent another van to pick up the passengers. They didn’t make it to the tulips.
“They were pretty bummed,” Francis said.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463, hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley
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