MADERA COUNTY – The Madera County Sheriff’s Office will file a criminal complaint against Richard James Sesulka, 49, of Garden Grove, CA., according to Erica Stuart, Public Information Officer.
Sesulka is the tour coach driver for Screamline Investment Corp accused of emptying the waste tank of his tour bus in a parking lot outside the U.S. Post Office in Oakhurst on Monday, Sept 16.
According to statements, the driver of the charter bus disembarked his 22 passengers in the Raley’s Shopping Center before driving across the street, parking near the entrance of the U.S Post Office, where he reportedly emptied his vehicle’s waste tank into a storm drain that feeds into the Fresno River.
He then collected his passengers and headed into Yosemite National Park, where he was later located and subsequently questioned by Madera County Sheriff’s deputies.
Oakhurst Postmaster Holly Baker phoned in a report of the incident shortly after 9 a.m., after the bus had already left the scene.
Cal Fire, Madera County Fire Department, as well as officers with Environmental Health and the Department of Fish & Wildlife were immediately advised and began investigating.
Deputies also notified neighboring law enforcement agencies, Yosemite National Park officials, as well as the charter company, which has reportedly agreed to cover the cost of the cleanup. That cost is not known at this time, however, Hazmat officials say they do not believe any of the raw sewage was able to make it to the river.
A portion of the parking lot at the Oakhurst Post Office was cordoned off as officials conducted their investigation, but the post office remained open for business.
Sesulka could face up to three years behind bars and a fine of $10,000.
