RENO — On Thursday, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Reno resident for failing to use due care, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, which is a felony, convicted person failing to change their address and no proof of insurance. The driver, 56-year-old Douglas Whisler, was booked into the Washoe County jail and his bail is set at $9,080.

At 3:41 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the area of North Virginia Street at Seneca Drive to a report of a two vehicle crash involving a Washoe County School District bus. The sheriff’s office, with assistance from the Washoe County School Police and the Reno Police Department, arrived on scene to investigate the accident. The investigation revealed that the school bus was stopped on North Virginia Street with its warning lights and equipment activated while allowing students to depart the bus.  A vehicle being driven by Whisler hit the rear of the school bus without evidence of braking prior to impact. The school bus was loaded with 21 elementary school students and a female driver, none of whom were injured.  Whisler was not injured. 

Further investigation showed that Whisler displayed signs and symptoms of impairment, possibly medications or narcotics; he was subsequently taken into custody.

The students on the bus were transferred to another bus or picked up at the scene by parents.