A Billings school bus driver charged with three felonies for allegedly hitting a student in a crosswalk while under the influence of alcohol has been arrested in the state of Washington.   

Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney David Cater says the Washington State Patrol picked up 53-year old Timothy Whalen in Republic, Washington.  He was arrested on a $50,000 warrant on Wednesday.  

A Ferry County Sheriff's Deputy observed Whalen driving erratically.   

The Deputy called the Washington State Patrol and the trooper made the stop on Highway 20, about three miles east of Republic near the Canadian border.  

The trooper says Whalen was looking at a map and that caused him to swerve. Whalen cooperated with troopers and is in custody at the Ferry County Jail in Republic.  

The Yellowstone County Attorney's office seeking Whalen's extradition back to Billings.  

Whalen faces felony charges of negligent vehicular assault, criminal endangerment, and failure to remain at the scene of an accident on September 25th.    

Whalen allegedly struck a 15 year old girl during his routine West High bus route.    

Witnesses told police Whalen stopped the bus, went to see if the girl was ok, then got back on the bus and continued up the street to drop off the students in his bus -- he then returned to the scene where police say they smelled alcohol on him and conducted a field sobriety test.
    

Court records show the bus driver had a .118 percent blood-alcohol level when tested after the incident the legal limit for commercial drivers is .04.     

The 15-year-old student suffered a broken leg and other injuries.     

Whalen is facing up to 30 years in prison.

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A district court judge has signed a felony arrest warrant for a Billings school bus driver accused of hitting a girl, while allegedly driving under the influence.

Yellowstone County attorney David Carter says as of Friday morning, Timothy Whalen is now wanted on a $50,000 bond. Whalen was originally issued a warrant for his arrest through justice court on October 15th.

Carter says the whereabouts of Whalen are unknown, but law enforcement has received tips that he may be out of state. Whalen is facing three felony charges which include: negligent vehicular assault, criminal endangerment, and failure to remain at the scene of an accident.

On September 25th, Billings Police say Whalen struck a 15-year-old student on his West High bus route. He dropped off his remaining students and returned to the scene, where police smelled alcohol on him.

Court records indicate that Whalen had a blood alcohol level of point .118. The legal limit for a commerical driver is .04.