A Calhoun man remains in the Gordon County jail after being accused of stealing and wrecking a school bus.

Jason Lee Souther, 26, was arrested on Tuesday, after he struck a basketball goal and apartments on Barret Road with the 2000 Bluebird school bus.

According to a police report from the Calhoun City Police:

Souther ran away from the bus after the wreck and was found by Calhoun Police officer Josh McKamey laying in the yard of 113 Hunts Drive. Witnesses told the officer that Souther hit the basketball goal, then backed the bus up, hitting the roof above an apartment door.

According to witnesses in the police report, Souther walked away from the wreck, carrying a clear plastic bottle, which was later located and tested positive for alcohol. No field sobriety test was given due to Souther’s injuries. He was treated at Gordon Hospital and released to officers.

He allegedly told the officer he took the bus because the keys were in it. Souther also allegedly told officers he had marijuana in his system because of his mother passing away and that was the only way he could eat. Hospital staff took a blood sample, which will be sent to the GBI crime lab. The bus was released to Brian Queen, supervisor of Calhoun City Schools. Damage to the bus, apartments, and basketball goal is estimated to be more than $500.

Souther was charged with theft by taking of a motor vehicle, DUI, duty upon striking fixture and remained in jail on Thursday.