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Driver Of City Bus Charged In Accident

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 10, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - The man at the wheel of a city bus that lurched out of control last month before crashing into a strip mall was arrested today, police said.

Travis Merriex, 37, was fired from the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority after the Sept. 12 wreck. As he was leaving a grievance hearing, he was arrested, said St. Petersburg police spokesman William Proffitt.

The bus lurched out of control on busy Central Avenue, sending people scattering as it knocked down a cement utility pole, uprooted trees and clipped parked cars before finally plowing into a building in a strip mall, authorities said.

Six people were injured in the 9 a.m. wreck, including Merriex and two passengers, fire officials said. One of the six, James Westerhoff, was pinned against a car and had serious injuries.

Merriex was charged with careless driving and driving under the influence resulting in serious bodily injury.

Merriex's blood tested positive for methadone, Alprazolam and Lorazepam, police spokesman George Kajtsa said.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.

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