A Bergen Catholic High School bus driver was allegedly caught drinking beer minutes before he was scheduled to pick up students Thursday.

Police say James Pruitt was spotted drinking in Orangetown, N.Y. before speeding off. The bus driver crossed into New Jersey to pick up a student and was headed back to New York when he was stopped by police.

According to authorities, Pruitt was not drunk but did have the smell of alcohol on his breath.

Pruitt has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child. School administrators are investigating and contacting parents.

Pruitt, who was not a school employee, has been fired by Vel Coach Incorporated due to a zero-tolerance policy. The company says he had a clean driving record in his two years of prior service with it.