Driver on meth arrested after passing school bus in stolen car

A 45-year-old man from Gatesville faces several charges after passing a stopped school bus in a stolen vehicle while under the influence of methamphetamine, the Coryell County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a Facebook post.  

The incident occurred on U.S. Highway 84 in South Mountain around 6:35 a.m. on Monday. A sheriff’s office patrol deputy observed a 2010 Mercury drive past a school bus that was actively loading children.

When the deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the Mercury in the area of Highway 84 and Greenbriar Road, the driver accelerated at speeds of more than 110 mph in an attempt to evade the deputy. The pursuit ended approximately 10 minutes later when the vehicle ran out of fuel in the 1500 Block of Farm-to-Market Road 1829.

During the investigation, the driver was identified as Scott Dean Ross. Investigators discovered the car was reported stolen on April 26.

While speaking with a state trooper, Ross admitted to being under the influence of meth.

 “We have zero tolerance for violators who ignore the law and put our children’s lives at risk,” Coryell County Sheriff Scott A. Williams said. “We will be enforcing this vigorously.”

Ross has been transported to the Coryell County Jail and charged with theft over $2,500/under $30,000, evading in a motor vehicle, driving while intoxicated, passing a school bus, and displaying the wrong license plate.

The sheriff’s office said deputies have “placed an increased emphasis on watching and following school buses to ensure drivers are yielding and stopping and meeting with those who disregard the bus markers.”  

On April 10, the sheriff’s office also released a statement that they will increase their patrol along school bus routes on FM 116, warning drivers about the risk of passing buses that are picking up and dropping off kids.

“Drivers are reminded that all traffic must stop for a school bus displaying red flashing flights or with the stop arm extended to allow safe passage for students entering and exiting the roadway and bus,” the sheriff’s office said via social media.