SCHOOL BUS CRASH REPORTS 2007

Driver and 22 Children Taken to Regional Hospitals After Morning Accident on Buckelew Avenue
May 9, 2007

MONROE — Two school buses bound for Monroe schools collided Monday, injuring 22 students and one bus driver.

Police said the accident occurred at 9:01 a.m., when a bus carrying 30 students was hit from behind by another bus carrying 33 students.

Police said the first bus — operated by John Lizzi, of Monroe — had been traveling west on Buckelew Avenue when it stopped at a house to pick up students. The second bus — operated by Barbara Medina, of Jamesburg — then collided with it from behind, police said.

Ambulances from Monroe, Jamesburg, Spotswood, and Englishtown Manalapan and the Middlesex County Paramedics were at the scene, police said. Nine students were taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, seven to CentraState Medical Center, in Freehold, two to St. Peter's University Hospital and four to Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge Division, police said. Ms. Medina also was taken to Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge Division, police said.

Police said none of the injuries were considered life-threatening.

The buses were driving students to Barclay Brook School and Brookside School, police said. The schools are adjacent to each other on Buckelew Avenue.

22 Students Sent to Hospitals After School Buses Crash at Bus Stop in New Jersey
May 7, 2007

MONROE, N.J. (AP) - Two school buses crashed at a bus stop Monday morning, injuring 22 children, authorities said.

The elementary-age children and a driver were treated at four hospitals, but all were released within a few hours, school officials said.

Injuries are believed to have included bruises and scratches, but no broken bones, said Wayne Holliday, the school district's business administrator.

Police said the accident happened about 9 a.m. when one bus stopped to pick up students and was struck from behind by the second bus. More than 60 children, ages 5 through 12, were aboard the buses headed for Barclay Brook and Brookside schools.

No citations have been issued since the investigation is continuing, Detective Sgt. Lawrence J. Linke said.

Pupils Hurt in School Bus Crash
Kids suffer mainly cuts and bruises
May 8, 2007

MONROE — One school bus rear-ended another on Buckelew Avenue Monday morning, injuring 22 elementary school students and one of the bus drivers.

The buses were en route to Barclay Brook School, which houses kindergarten through third grade, and Brookside School, which is for grades four to six. The accident happened about 9 a.m. when the first bus, driven by John Lizzi of Monroe, was stopped to pick up pupils at the last bus stop before arriving at school. The other bus, driven by Barbara Medina of Jamesburg, was behind the first bus when the collision occurred, police said.

There were 30 students on the first bus and 33 students on the second bus. Witness Bernadette Kulakovich went on one bus, where she said the children were shaken up and crying. She said several children sustained cuts to their lips.

Ambulances from Monroe, Spotswood, Jamesburg and Englishtown-Manalapan first aid squads, along with Middlesex County paramedics responded to the scene. Several of the pupils were removed from the buses on boards and transported to area hospitals.

Nine were taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick; seven to CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township; four to Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge and two to St. Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick, police said.

Medina was also taken to Raritan Bay Medical Center. Police said none of the injuries was considered life-threatening.

Superintendent of Schools Ralph Ferrie arrived at the bus stop minutes after the crash to try to bring calm to the chaotic scene. The pupils were complaining of neck and back pain and cut lips, Ferrie said.

More than 25 school counselors and members of the child study team were brought to Brookside School to calm the remaining children after a new bus took them there. School nurses were on hand to examine the children who were not taken to the hospital, Ferrie said.

All had been released from hospitals Monday night.

Both buses will be inspected for malfunctions. Police are investigating the accident.

back to Crash Reports 2007

top