Citizen formally complains about singer Toby Keith's bus driver


By Ryan Woodard, Journal staff


Toby Keith's bus made an unscheduled stop in Rapid City last month, courtesy of the red, white and blue.



The flashing red lights, white spotlight and flashing blue lights, that is.



Keith's bus was pulled over by the South Dakota Highway Patrol the evening of June 25 after Rapid City resident Todd McPherson called to complain that the bus's driver was driving erratically, according to trooper Robert Rybak.



Rybak said the Highway Patrol received a complaint about 9:15 p.m. that a bus was performing allegedly illegal lane changes, tailgating and speeding on Interstate 90 in a construction zone near Sturgis. Traffic in that area has been placed head-to-head while the work is being completed, and passing is not allowed.



Rybak confirmed that the bus involved in the incident is being leased by Keith but would not reveal whether the famous country singer was on board at the time of the stop.



McPherson said he had just entered I-90 from Sturgis and was heading east toward Rapid City when the large luxury bus rushed up behind him.



"He was less than a car length behind me and was flashing his lights at me," McPherson said, adding that he braked to back the larger vehicle off.



The driver of the bus, Willie Bryant of Burlington, N.C., later complained to Rybak about McPherson's driving, including a statement about McPherson "slamming on the brakes."



McPherson said Bryant then passed him and cut in front of him after both vehicles got through the construction zone and started to pass the Tilford Exit.



"I hit the brakes to get away from him. Otherwise, he would have taken the front end of the car out," McPherson said.



McPherson said he called the Highway Patrol and stayed on the phone with dispatchers while following the bus until it was pulled over near the site of the new Rushmore Crossing Mall.



Bryant said he was taking the bus to a show in Georgia and was traveling from Canada but did not specify the time or location of the show, Rybak said.



Rybak could not file a citation against Bryant because Rybak did not see any infractions. However, Bryant was issued a citizen's complaint signed by McPherson. McPherson said he has a court date scheduled for July 16.



If charges result from the complaint, Bryant will have a choice of either appearing in court to defend himself against McPherson's claims or pleading guilty, Rybak said. The heaviest possible fine is probably a $104 ticket for reckless driving, he said.



Rybak said it is rare for a citizen to follow through on a complaint. Most people go as far as making the complaint but decline to sign it when they find out they will have to appear in court alone to prove the infraction occurred, according to Rybak.



"In this case, he was very adamant to the fact that he wanted action taken against this bus driver," Rybak said.



He said Bryant refused to file a complaint against McPherson, despite making comments about McPherson's driving.



"He complained to me that McPherson was doing the same stupid things in a manner that he was," Rybak said. "But he said that wasn't the way he was raised, and he didn't want to file a complaint against the other guy."



McPherson said Bryant's refusal to admit guilt is what drove him to follow through with the complaint.



The Journal could not reach Bryant for comment. Keith's publicist, Elaine Schock of Shock Inc., said Keith would not be commenting on the alleged incident.



Keith is a famous country singer who has scored numerous hit singles. He appeared at the Buffalo Chip Campground in Sturgis last year.



Contact Ryan Woodard at 394-8412 or ryan.woodard@rapidcityjournal.com