Bus Driver for Pirates Arrested for DUI While Transporting Team Between Cities

A bus driver contracted to the Pirates was charged with a DUI after he was pulled over while transporting the team following Pittsburgh’s game against the Cubs on Thursday.

The driver, who was not affiliated with the team, was pulled over by state troopers roughly 25 minutes away from Wrigley Field on Thursday evening, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  

The bus was transporting the Pirates from Chicago to Milwaukee, and was traveling with a police escort at the time. Illinois state police indicated the driver, 61-year-old Ronald Funderburke of Shelby, N.C., was not following the escort and was displaying multiple signs of impairment. 

Police reported they had initially believed the driver was having a medical emergency before it was determined that he was driving under the influence of alcohol.

Nobody was hurt in the incident. 

“We are deeply concerned regarding what transpired [Thursday] night,” Pirates senior vice president of communications and broadcasting Brian Warecki said in a statement. “The important thing is that all of our personnel arrived in Milwaukee safely.

“Buses are contracted out to a local provider, which was consistent with this trip, and we are now in communication with the appropriate parties regarding this matter.”

The Pirates started a three-game series against the Brewers on Friday.