Bus driver gets jail for driving on meth

CALDWELL, Idaho – A former school bus driver has been ordered to spend a year in jail for taking students on an erratic ride while under the influence of methamphetamine.

Third District Judge Juneal Kerrick sentenced Theresa Mahurin to seven years in prison, saying she would be eligible for parole after 31/2 years – then suspended that sentence in lieu of a year in jail, the Idaho Press-Tribune reported.

Mahurin, 34, pleaded guilty to felony drug possession and driving under the influence earlier this year.

In exchange for the plea, Canyon County prosecutors dismissed 29 misdemeanor counts of injury to a child – one for each student on the bus.

She acknowledged her wrongdoing, saying she should have called in sick to work after using methamphetamine the night before.

The incident happened Feb. 7, after several students used their cell phones to report that Mahurin was driving erratically, swerving, nearly hitting a fence and once stopping in the middle of the road for no apparent reason.

The Brown Bus Co. removed Mahurin from the vehicle and fired her after she refused to take a drug test.

Police found a bag containing methamphetamine in her possession when they stopped her a short time later.

Though Mahurin admitted she had used the illicit drug for several years, she had no prior criminal record, and that influenced her sentence, Kerrick said.

“If we can solve the drug issue with Theresa Mahurin, there is no problem,” defense attorney Chad Gulstrom said.

Still, the judge said, rehabilitation should come after her punishment is completed.

Kerrick told Mahurin she should consider how she would feel if her own 8-year-old daughter was on a bus operated by an impaired driver.

“As a parent, you put your faith in other people to look out for your child,” the judge said.