Kevin Vanlanham, 36, the principal at E.M. Pease Middle School in north San Antonio, was arrested after driving the wrong way on West Loop 1604 and failing a breath test, according to jail records and law enforcement reports. Converse police stopped his vehicle just after 2 a.m., and he was booked into the Bexar County Adult Detention Center before posting bond later that afternoon. The Northside Independent School District lists him as the campus principal and says he remains on staff as the situation unfolds.
The stop happened in the early hours when officers noticed a vehicle traveling the wrong direction on West Loop 1604 and pulled it over shortly after 2 a.m. Law enforcement records indicate Vanlanham failed a breathalyzer and was cited for Class B misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. He was processed at the county detention center and released on bond after midafternoon the same day.
Vanlanham is listed as the principal of E.M. Pease Middle School, a campus in the Northside Independent School District, a position he assumed last summer. District information shows he has been an educator in San Antonio since 2013 and rose through local school roles before taking the lead at Pease. At 36 years old, he is one of the younger principals in the district’s middle school ranks.
The district has confirmed that Vanlanham remains an employee and is not on leave at this time, according to its public statement. Officials have not announced any internal personnel actions while the legal process plays out. Parents and staff are likely to watch closely for additional updates from the district as they consider next steps.
A Class B misdemeanor DWI carries consequences that can include fines, community service, and possible license suspension, depending on the court’s findings. The next stage is a criminal court appearance where charges are formally pursued or resolved through plea or dismissal. How the court handles the case will influence both the legal outcome and any administrative decisions by the school district.
Wrong-way incidents on high-speed loops like 1604 are inherently dangerous and understandably alarming to anyone who learns about them late at night or early in the morning. Local drivers and commuters expect law enforcement to address those hazards quickly, and police response on that stretch aims to prevent collisions and serious injuries. This arrest underscores the risks of impaired driving and the role of patrol officers in keeping major roadways safer.
Converse police conducted the traffic stop and handled the immediate arrest procedures, while Bexar County processed the booking at the adult detention center. That two-step chain is common in cases where city officers detain a suspect and county facilities manage custody and bail. Record-keeping from those agencies provides the basic timeline: stop, breath test, booking, and release on bond.
For families at E.M. Pease Middle School, the news can be unsettling because principals are expected to be dependable figures in the building and community. School districts typically have policies for employee arrests that allow for review and possible administrative action based on the severity and context of charges. Those policies can involve temporary reassignment, investigations, or other measures depending on what unfolds legally and internally.
Vanlanham’s long-term career in San Antonio schools and his recent promotion to principal mean his situation will be viewed through both legal and professional lenses. The district may conduct its own review once more facts are established, and any disciplinary steps would follow district guidelines and employment law. Meanwhile, the community and parents will likely request transparency about steps the school takes to protect students and maintain continuity at the campus.
Expect updates in public court records and from the school district as the case moves forward and any hearings are scheduled. Community members seeking information should monitor official district communications and the county’s court docket for hearing dates and filings. In the meantime, the arrest is a reminder that school leaders can face the same legal scrutiny as anyone else when accused of criminal violations.
