The call came from inside the bus.

Hopkinton Police arrested a school bus driver and charged him with his third drunken driving offense after a coach on the bus called to express his concern about the safety of the students.

Robert E. Murphy, 59, of Ashland was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol (third offense), and operating a motor vehicle to endanger, according to a Hopkinton Police press release.

According to police, Murphy was driving a bus load of students back from a cross-country meet on Saturday night. At about 10:30 p.m., a coach on the bus placed the call to police.


Murphy is due in Framingham District Court on Monday to be arraigned on the charges.