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Allegedly Drunk MBTA Bus Driver Fired

BOSTON (CBS/AP) - A veteran MBTA bus driver was fired Monday after he was charged with being drunk on the job.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports

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61-year-old John McCarthy pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Somerville District Court on charges of operating under the influence of alcohol and an open-container violation.

Police say McCarthy drove his bus into the back of a car at a stop light in Somerville on Friday evening. He allegedly had an open bottle of vodka in his pocket.

Investigators say McCarthy had trouble maintaining his balance and his speech was slurred.

WBZ-TV's Jim Smith reports

The only passenger on the bus and driver of the car were not hurt.

McCarthy told WBZ-TV's Jim Smith Sunday that he's been going through some tough times recently and he is on a number of medications.

McCarthy worked for the MBTA for 30 years.

He was released on a promise to return to court.

(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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