Louisiana residents who are interested in public school busing policies and the safety of school bus passengers may be interested in knowing about an accident involving special needs children that happened in southern New Jersey on Feb. 4. According to media sources, a collision between a sports utility vehicle and a Bridgetown Public Schools bus left one person dead and six others injured. Four special needs students were among those who reportedly suffered minor injuries in the fatal incident.
Due to their specific needs, the students were in the process of being bused to schools outside of their home district when the accident occurred approximately 35 miles south of Philadelphia. According to the district superintendent, the bus driver and an adult aide, who is reported to have been seriously hurt, were also hospitalized following the crash.
Few details about the collision are available as of press time. Preliminary reports indicate that State Police responded to the scene where they found the small yellow bus resting off the roadway on its passenger side. Sources report that the SUV sustained damage to its front end and that its driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The school bus was transporting students ranging from 11 to 17 years of age when the incident occurred.
When a serious motor vehicle accident occurs, it is important to note that the severity of any resultant injuries may only become fully apparent after some time has passed. If any of the injured parties do suffer loss as a result of this incident, they may find it beneficial to seek advice from a personal injury attorney, who could establish liability in the case and negotiate with insurers for a fair settlement.
Source: CBS News, “Deadly collision between school bus, SUV in New Jersey,” Feb. 4, 2016
