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Colleen Eutermarks, a school bus driver from Wantage has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for driving a bus full of 27 schoolchildren while under the influence of alcohol. The incident occurred two years ago on Route 565 in Frankford. Eutermarks was found to have a blood alcohol content more than eight times the legal limit for a commercial vehicle driver.
The sentencing took place on June 6 before Superior Court Judge Michael C. Gaus. In addition to the prison term, Eutermarks was ordered to forfeit her commercial driver's license for life.
The case was prosecuted by Acting First Assistant Prosecutor Sahil Kabse. Defense attorney for Eutermarks at the trial level was George T. Daggett, Esq.(Sparta, NJ) and her attorney at the sentencing level was Jay V. Surgent, Esq.
"The sentence of the Court clearly held Ms. Eutermarks accountable for her terrible decision making on January 28, 2022. It also sent a strong message that there are serious criminal consequences of operating a school bus while under the influence which are far beyond the consequences of a Driving While Intoxicated charge." said Acting Sussex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray.