Driver Charged In Fatal NJ School Bus Crash: Prosecutor

MOUNT OLIVE, NJ — The bus driver during last week's fatal bus crash on I-80 was charged Thursday with two counts of death by auto for recklessly causing the deaths of a teacher and a student, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp said.

Hudy Muldrow Sr., 77, of Woodland Park, faces charges after last week's bus crash in Mount Olive that killed 10-year-old Miranda Vargas and teacher Jennifer Williamson Kennedy.

Knapp said Muldrow was attempting to make an illegial U-turn through an official-use-only cut-through just past Exit 25 when the bus was struck by a dump truck.

Muldrow is currently at the Morris County jail, a spokesperson confirmed. He will await a hearing Friday before a Superior Court judge to determine if he should be held or released while charges are pending, Knapp said. That hearing is expected to be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, a court administrator told Patch.

"Last Thursday’s accident is a truly tragic event. We mourn the loss of life and our thoughts and prayers are with the families so affected. Likewise, that extends to all those that were injured in this accident," Mldrow's lawyer, Matthew Reisig said in a statement sent to Patch. "Mr. Muldrow is presumed innocent of his charges. While we understand that this accident and its tragic consequences are a matter of considerable public interest, my client has faith in the criminal justice system and reiterates his presumption of innocence."

Forty-five students, teachers and adults from East Brook Middle School in Paramus were onboard the bus, which was traveling to a school field trip at Waterloo Village in Byram Township. In addition to two fatalities, there were 43 injuries.

"The full extent of the non-fatal injuries has yet to be determined but range from minor to multiple serious and potentially life-threatening injuries," Knapp said. At least one student is still in critical condition.

According to Knapp, Muldrow was driving the second bus in a three-bus caravan. The three buses left East Brook Middle School around 9:20 a.m.

The first bus apparently missed the exit for Waterloo, leading the caravan further away from the Village. The last bus separated from the others and arrived safely at Waterloo. Then, the first bus became separated from Muldrow's bus and arrived safely at the destination.

Muldrow allegedly drove onto Route 206 south towards the on-ramp to I-80 West. Near the entry point to I-80, Muldrow is accused of turning sharply in an attempt to drive across all lanes of traffic to reach an official turn-around point in the median.

This move put the bus "almost-perpendicular" to traffic traveling westbound on I-80, including the dump truck that hit it.

Knapp said the dump truck was traveling in the center lane at the time of the crash. He did not release the name of the dump truck driver, who was also injured in the crash.

The impact knocked the bus into the center median, and tore it into multiple pieces.

Muldrow has a long history of driving trouble, the state Motor Vehicle Commission confirmed, including 14 license suspensions.

Despite his record, Muldrow still managed to have a commercial driver's license with valid passenger and school bus endorsements, Commission spokesperson Mairin Bellack said. Paramus officials have said they were unaware of his driving record.

With reporting by Dan Hubbard

Image of the Paramus school bus that crashed on I-80 in Mount Olive Thursday. (Courtesy of CBS2, used with permission)