High School Driving Teacher Accused of Being Drunk at School

A driving instructor at Broad Run High School remains on paid leave pending the outcome of charges that he was inebriated on school grounds.

Michael L. Hitzges, 47, of Ashburn, a biology teacher who earned an additional stipend providing driver education classes to students, faces charges of drunk in public after someone alerted the school resource officer assigned to Broad Run.

Hitzges has been with Loudoun County Public Schools since 2002 and has been teaching at Broad Run since 2004, according to Loudoun County Public Schools spokesman Wayde Byard.

"He's been placed on administrative leave with pay," said Byard, who explained that's normal procedure for the school system until the judicial process has run its course.

Byard said notification went out to parents Monday afternoon, after an inquiry from the media, which at least one parent confirmed receiving.

Details of the case continue to emerge. Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Liz Mills said Tuesday morning she was collecting information from investigators.

After someone reported their suspicions, the SRO confronted Hitzges and the teacher was charged with drunk in public. It's not yet clear who alerted the SRO.

Other details have not been clarified, including whether Hitzges had contact with students before his arrest, or whether any driving instruction occurred in the morning. Byard referred questions to the LCSO during the investigation.

Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.

For all breaking news updates, subscribe to our breaking email newsletter.

The previous information was supplied by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and, where charges were made, does not indicate a conviction. For questions about this article, email dusty@patch.com.