May 21, 2012
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- A tip that a Knox Co. Schools bus driver may have been impaired led to a confrontation between officers and the driver, according to the district's Director of Public Affairs Melissa Copelan.
School officials were actually told around 9:00 a.m. that the driver of bus number 108 serving Whittle Springs Middle School, Christie Brown-Hatmaker, may be impaired.
While they found no evidence Brown-Hatmaker was intoxicated, members of the Knoxville Police Dept. and school security reportedly found a knife when they met her.
According to Copelan, Brown-Hatmaker was arrested for Aggravated Assault on a School Security Officer, Resisting Arrest, and Possession of a Knife. She has also been removed from the roster of approved bus drivers until the district can investigate.
Copelan added that Brown-Hatmaker never threatened a student or school staff.
The school was placed on soft lockdown during the incident.
