CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Newly released video shows the arrest of a University of Miami shuttle bus driver after a crash in which he was suspected of being under the influence.

Coral Gables police officers took Timothy Kowalewski, 45, into custody on Feb. 16 near the 300 block of U.S. 1.

According to authorities, responding officers found Kowalewski still sitting in the driver’s seat after the crash.

He was driving students back to the school’s campus when police said Kowalewski struck a tree and then a car with the shuttle.

As students quickly exited the bus once it stopped, they could be heard on video asking Kowalewski if he was okay and whether he had anything to drink, noting the small of alcohol.

After being examined by medical personnel, Kowalewski told officers he did not remember the crash, according to an arrest form.

Officers at the scene said Kowalewski had red, watery eyes and slurred speech, but he refused to perform any field sobriety exercises or provide a breath sample, which led to his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence.

He was taken to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and is facing charges of DUI, DUI causing property damage and refusal to submit to a breath test while driving with a suspended license.

Following the arrest, the University of Miami released a statement to Local 10 which read:

“The incident involving a University of Miami campus shuttle is under further investigation by the Coral Gables Police Department,” the statement read. “The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and the broader University community remains our top priority.”

Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.