RICE, MN — The new mayor of Rice, who previously worked as a school bus driver, was cited Thursday for drunken driving. Police say they found Erik Richard Bonde, 46, on the afternoon Jan. 10 after he had driven a school bus to Rice Elementary.

Authorities made contact with Bonde to tell him his license had been suspended. However, while talking to Bonde as he sat in the driver’s seat of the bus, officers observed signs that he was intoxicated.

A preliminary breath test showed Bonde’s blood alcohol level was above the legal limit for driving, according to investigators. Authorities also found a container with an alcoholic beverage that he allegedly had on the bus.

Bonde was placed under arrest and transported to the Benton County Jail. He was issued a citation for misdemeanor DUI and possessing an open bottle. Police say he was held at the jail until he sobered up and was released without bail.

No students were on the bus while Bonde was operating it, according to investigators. Bonde arrived at the school Thursday in order to pick up two children, the Star Tribune reports.

He no longer works for the transportation company that employed him, according to the newspaper.

Bonde defeated Terry Schwanke in the November election for Rice mayor.

Image via Benton County Jail

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