MBTA driver fired for allegedy driving T bus while drunk
SOMERVILLE – An MBTA bus driver, who was allegedly found with an open bottle of vodka in his left jacket pocket while on duty, pleaded not guilty to drunken driving charges today and was released on personal recognizance.
John McCarthy, 61, declined to speak with reporters as he left the Somerville District Court this morning. The veteran MBTA employee was allegedly driving drunk in Somerville on Friday night when he rear-ended a Toyota Camry at the intersection of Medford Street and McGrath Highway.
No one was injured.
Police said McCarthy failed a number of field sobriety tests at the scene and that they found an open bottle of vodka in his left jacket pocket.
The MBTA notified McCarthy in writing that he has lot his job with the transit authority.
In a letter dated Jan. 23, MBTA General Manager Richard A. Davey notified McCarthy that he was “hereby discharged from the employ’’ of the MBTA because he violated the T’s ban on any type of alcohol use while on the job.
He was ordered to surrender his badge, pass, rule book, keys and any other material owned by the T, according to the letter signed by Davey.
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