Shortly before 8:00 AM this morning, Blount County Sheriff’s Office notified Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office of a school bus that had been stolen in their jurisdiction. The description of the bus was given and the subject was described as a white male.
At approximately 8:00 AM, Jefferson County Deputies in the Bessemer Division came into contact with the stolen bus and attempted to get the vehicle to stop. The driver refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. Deputies along with several other law enforcement agencies continued to follow the bus throughout the Birmingham area. During the pursuit the driver made aggressive maneuvers towards law enforcement vehicles. An Alabama State Trooper vehicle was hit as the trooper was attempting to deploy stop sticks.
The bus finally came to a stop off of I-459N at the Acton Road Exit. The suspect, a 24 year old, white male believed to be from Kentucky, Brandon Peckinpaugh, was taken into custody and transported to the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer without further incident. He is being charged in Jefferson County with Attempting to Elude, Reckless Endangerment and Resisting Arrest. His bond’s total $15,000. Peckinpaugh is expected to have additional charges filed by other law enforcement agencies.