4 Paramus Students Remain In Hospital Following Crash

PARAMUS, NJ — Brendan O'Callaghan has been undergoing occupational, speech, and physical therapy a little bit at a time since the fatal school bus crash that killed two people last week.

The East Brook Middle School fifth-grader, who was a passenger on the bus, has not gotten out of bed much since being admitted to Children's Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick. O'Callaghan's father, Arnie, said things are moving slowly with Brendan.

"He's still got a lot to take in; he still doesn't know about his teacher dying and what happened to his friends," Arnie O'Callaghan said. "We don't need anymore setbacks."

Brendan is among four passengers in a fatal school bus crash in Morris County who remained hospitalized on Friday.

Three of the four, including Sofia Evelich, remain admitted at Morristown Medical Center, said Arnie O'Callaghan, the father of Brendan O'Callaghan, who was seriously injured in the crash. Brendan is at Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick.

There were 46 people on the bus, 38 students from East Brook Middle School on the bus, along with seven teachers and chaperones, and the driver, Hudy Muldrow Sr. Of the 38 students, 34 have been released from the hospital.

All of the patients have been discharged from St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson, Hackettstown Medical Center, and St. Claire's hospitals in Dover and Denville, spokespersons at those hospitals confirmed.

New Jersey State Police said three people were taken to University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, but a hospital spokesperson has not returned phone calls seeking comment.

Two people, teacher Jennifer Williamson-Kennedy and 10-year-old student Miranda Faith Vargas died in the Mount Olive crash. They were buried this week.

Arnie O'Callaghan said the outpouring of support Brendan and the family has received has been incredible.

The New York Yankees and New York Rangers have sent O'Callaghan gifts since the accident. The Rangers sent him a hockey stick autographed by goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

Arnie O'Callaghan has been in contact with many of the victims' families.

New York Giant Landon Collins recorded a special get-well message for Brendan O'Callaghan.

Brendan's hockey team, the Ice Dogs, have been selling shirts with his name on them. They are donating the proceeds to him. Paramus Boy Scouts made his family trays of food.

"People I don't even know have been reaching out. I got a message from someone in Ireland," Arnie O'Callaghan said. "For every message I get, I get 100 more. It's been amazing."

A candlelight vigil was held for the victims at Paramus High School Thursday. Many of the victims were at the ceremony and honored by the hundreds of people in attendance.

The bus driver, Hudy Muldrow Sr., 77, of Woodland Park faces two charges of death by auto, also known as vehicular homicide, in Vargas' and Williamson-Kennedy's deaths. He made his first court appearance Friday.

Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Troiano said they expect to file additional charges against Muldrow for all of the non-fatal injuries.

Related:

• WATCH: Paramus Bus Crash Victim Gets Surprise From NY Rangers
• Officials Want Justice To Run Its Course In Paramus Bus Case
• WATCH: Paramus Candlelight Vigil For Bus Crash Victims
• Seat Belts Didn't Fit Correctly Before Bus Crash: Student

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Photo: Brendan O'Callaghan gets a visit from Paramus Police Officer Benjamin Fox. (Courtesy of Arnie O'Callaghan, used with permission)