A morning school commute turned into a nightmare Thursday when a yellow school bus flipped onto its side on Interstate 195, leaving four children injured — one of them seriously.
The crash happened around 7:30 a.m. in Monmouth County, as the bus traveled eastbound near Exit 31. New Jersey State Police say the bus collided with a GMC van before violently overturning, skidding to a halt on the shoulder with its roof torn open.
“I heard the crash from across the highway. It sounded like a bomb went off,” said local resident Dave Hargraves, who lives nearby. “When I saw it was a school bus, my heart sank.”
Troopers confirmed the bus driver and three children suffered minor injuries, but one young passenger was rushed to the hospital in serious condition. All five victims were transported to local hospitals. The driver of the van — a GMC model — was reportedly unharmed and walked away from the scene.
Parents React in Panic
News of the crash sent shockwaves through the local community.
“My daughter rides that bus every morning,” said Heather Lawson, a mother of two. “I raced to the school in tears when I heard. We send our kids off thinking they’re safe. This is every parent’s worst fear.”
The identity of the seriously injured child has not been released, but sources say the student is of elementary school age.
Video footage from the scene shows the bus lying on its side, windows shattered, and what appears to be a hole in the roof — possibly made by rescuers or desperate passengers trying to escape.
Highway Chaos
Emergency crews blocked all eastbound lanes of I-195 for hours, backing up traffic for miles. Tow trucks, fire engines, and ambulances crowded the area as investigators pieced together what went wrong.
The cause of the collision is still under investigation, and no charges have been filed at this time.
According to state records, New Jersey school buses are inspected twice a year, but the condition of the vehicle involved in Thursday’s crash has not been made public.
A History of Warnings
While school bus crashes are rare, safety advocates have long pushed for upgraded restraints and seatbelts in older bus models. Many states — including New Jersey — have begun requiring lap and shoulder belts, but enforcement remains spotty.
“These are our kids. If we can send billions overseas, we can make sure their buses have seatbelts,” said Rep. Tom Wilkins (R-NJ) in a statement Thursday afternoon. “We need to get serious about protecting our students here at home.”
What Happens Next
As the investigation continues, parents and lawmakers alike are demanding answers — and accountability.
Officials have not released the names of the drivers or the school district involved. The bus company’s safety record is now under review.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
The government as usual spends billions on their so called projects, and very little on our own real projects.
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone