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Originally published Sept. 12, 2024
CAMBRIDGE, Ohio – A Martins Ferry man who allegedly drove a school bus filled with students and coaches to an out-of-town sporting event while under the influence is headed to court.
Ronald D. Irvin Vah Jr., 58, of Martins Ferry, was charged with OVI (operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol) , implied consent to a chemical test, physical control, and endangering children while driving a Martins Ferry City Schools bus on August 26.
Vah reportedly was driving a bus carrying Martins Ferry City Schools students and coaches to a volleyball game in Cambridge.
Martins Ferry Schools Superintendent Jim Fogle confirmed to River News Network that Vah is no longer a school district employee.
The Cambridge Police Department had responded to a complaint about a reportedly impaired man at Cambridge Middle School during a student volleyball game. Parents at the game witnessed Vah allegedly “stumbling, screaming and wobbling” at the volleyball game.
Cambridge Patrolman Zach Smith found a cooler allegedly belonging to Vah on the bus with medicine bottles and a stainless steel tumbler with liquid that reportedly smelled like alcohol.
Martins Ferry Coach Nikki Baranski told police Vah was driving “really bad” and that that she and two other coaches witnessed Vah allegedly almost hit other cars with the bus in traffic on Interstate 70 in St. Clairsville. Baranski told the officer the bus left Martins Ferry around 3:30 p.m. and arrived at Cambridge Middle School around 5 p.m.
Vah apparently did not stop driving after the alleged near-miss accidents in St. Clairsville, and allegedly drove on to Cambridge, which is approximately another 45 minutes’ drive.
According to Cambridge Municipal Court, Vah is scheduled for an evidentiary hearing there on September 18. He is scheduled to go to trial October 28.
Another former Ohio bus driver in the Mason City School district was charged in August with 46 counts of endangering children after allegedly driving the students to school while intoxicated, according to WCPO.
River News Network will continue to follow former Martins Ferry bus driver story, so check for updates on our website and Facebook.