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Ambridge ROTC Instructor Accused Of Driving Student Around While Intoxicated

AMBRIDGE (KDKA) -- A Beaver County ROTC instructor is facing more charges after showing up at a local school, despite being ordered to stay away, after three run-ins with police over the weekend.

It all started Sunday morning.

Police say Ambridge ROTC instructor Carl Curtis got into a fight with his wife at the local American Legion post, drawing the police. They broke that up, only to be called back less than an hour later when they say he was fighting at the same place with the school board president.

"He was advised to go home and not to drive his vehicle. He was given a ride home by the school board president," said Ambridge Police Chief James Mann.

But Curtis didn't stay put.

"He went home, cleaned up and picked this student up, and drove her from her home in Baden to Ambridge High School

Chief Mann showed KDKA video, which he says is Curtis arriving at the school with the 14-year-old at 5:25 a.m. Sunday, proof she was in the vehicle.

"She was scared; she actually came in Monday with her mother and filed a complaint with the school," said Chief Mann.

It was a very specific complaint, about the ride from Baden.

"She says while they were driving to the high school he was weaving all over the road, crossing the center line," said Chief Mann.

Shortly after the video, police arrived at the school, tipped off by Curtis' wife that he was supposed to drive ROTC students to Grove City that morning.

"They found Sgt. Curtis still intoxicated and they brought him into the station," Chief Mann said.

KDKA's John Shumway: "So he was actually there with the intent of getting other students and getting on the road?"

Chief Mann: "11 students."

Shumway: "And getting on the road?"

Chief Mann: "Yes."

Based on the video and the girl's testimony, Curtis' public intoxication charge has been bumped up to include endangering the welfare of a minor.

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