A Jefferson County substitute bus driver allegedly pinned two students down, holding one by the throat, student witnesses told police.
David Blanchard, 62, faces two counts of child abuse and has been released on a summons.
The Lakewood police summons says Blanchard was pinning a disruptive 12-year-old student down, grabbing him by the throat, when another student tried to intervene by hitting Blanchard in the back.
Blanchard then pinned the second student down, too, witnesses told police.
The altercation happened at about 3 p.m. as Blanchard was driving students home from Bear Creek K-8 School.
The disruptive student was earlier asked to leave the bus after he cut in front of a line to board, cursing at staff who asked him to exit. The disruptive student then reboarded the bus and was “yelling over” Blanchard when the driver pinned him down, witnesses told police.
Police said several students who witnessed the encounter are cooperating in the investigation.
The student who became disruptive suffered scratches and abrasions during the altercation and may face harassment charges for pushing the driver, police said.
The disruptive student was taken to a juvenile assessment center by Lakewood police. The student who tried to intervene was not injured.
Police declined to release further information in the case.
