Maryland bus driver suspended for reading paper behind the wheel

Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Transit officials said a Maryland bus driver has been suspended after a viral video showed him apparently reading a newspaper while driving with passengers.

Myles Hill tweeted a video showing his Metrobus driver appearing to read the newspaper while driving the F6 bus about 2 p.m. Friday in College Park.

Hill said he and a friend were shocked at what they were seeing.

"I asked her, 'is that bus driver reading the paper?' and she said 'oh my gosh, yeah!'" Hill told The Washington Post. "He's focusing on the paper; he should be focusing on the roads."

The University of Maryland student said the driver nearly missed a stop because he was distracted by the paper.

Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said officials identified the driver and placed him on paid leave while an investigation is conducted. He said the driver's name is not being released due to a policy regarding employee disciplinary matters.