Driver fired, radio station staffer charged after on-air bus prank

Charlotte-Mecklenburg school officials filed criminal charges against a radio station staffer who hopped a middle school bus one morning as an on-air stunt. The bus driver who agreed to participate in the drive-time drama was fired.

WIBT-FM station staffer Jase Edward “Cubby” Squires boarded the bus at the behest of announcer Brotha’ Fred, host of the “A.M. Mayhem” show. Squires reported live via his cell phone during the ride. Squires reportedly asked the driver whether he could get on and then chatted live with Brotha’ Fred, in a conversation broadcast over the airwaves.

Brotha’ Fred told the Charlotte Observer, “We thought it was pretty entertaining. We try to entertain in a way that some people will think was funny and some won’t.”

The school district fell into the latter group and pressed charges against Squires.

Maybe Brotha’ Fred can now arrange a live chat with the bus driver, who now has her mornings free.