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MBTA Fires Bus Driver For Alleged Drunk Driving

A veteran MBTA bus driver accused of driving his route while drunk has been fired.

A spokesman for the transit agency says a termination letter was hand delivered to John McCarthy on Monday.

Authorities say the 61-year-old McCarthy, a 30-year Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority veteran, drove his bus into the back of a car in Somerville on Friday. No one was hurt. Police allege McCarthy had an open bottle of vodka in his pocket, had trouble maintaining his balance and his speech was slurred.

McCarthy was released on personal recognizance Monday after pleading not guilty in Somerville District Court to operating under the influence of alcohol and an open-container violation.

He declined to speak with reporters following his arraignment.

This program aired on January 24, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.

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