Murphy Signs School Bus Seat Belt Legislation Into Law

PARAMUS, NJ — Governor Phil Murphy Saturday signed legislation requiring seat belts on certain school buses be upgraded in response to a school bus crash in May that a teacher and student were killed.

The law, which modifies an already existing law, requires school buses to be equipped with three-point lap and shoulder seat belts for each seat. It takes effect immediately and applies to school buses made on or after 180 days from Saturday.

East Brook Middle School teacher Jennifer Williamson-Kennedy and 10-year-old Miranda Vargas died in the May 17 crash. There were 38 students on the bus and seven adults from Paramus when the bus collided with a dump truck on Route 80. All of them were injured, some critically.

“We will never know if a three-point belt would have saved the lives of Miranda Vargas and Jennifer Williamson, or whether they would have prevented serious injury to so many others on May 17,” Murphy said. “Every child and every educator and adult chaperone deserves our best effort to protect their safety and the best possible chance of emerging unharmed in the unfortunate event of a school bus accident. For Miranda and Mrs. Williamson and for all the children in New Jersey and for their families and communities, I am honored to sign this legislation.”

Several days after the bus crash, the National Transportation Safety Board released recommendations that all states require full three-point seat belts. Those new guidelines were issued as the result of two deadly bus crashes in November 2016.

“The May bus crash was a tragic reminder of how vulnerable our students are while riding on school buses," said Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, one of the legislation's sponsors. "Cars are equipped with seat belts and for good reason. They can prevent fatalities and minimize injuries."

A student on-board the Paramus bus at the time of the crash spoke publicly about the role of seat belts, saying he didn't think lap belts were enough.

"Paramus, as good as it is, I think we need more safety precautions, like a three-point seat belt," Peter Caminiti III said at a Paramus Board of Education meeting following the crash.

The bus driver, Hudy Muldrow Sr., 77, of Jersey City, was charged with death by auto following an investigation of the crash by authorities.

Officials say Muldrow caused the horrific crash when he cut the school bus across three lanes of Route 80 traffic in an attempt to reach an official-use-only turn-around point in the median. Through a lawyer, Muldrow has maintained his innocence.

The fifth-graders, teachers, and chaperones were on their way to Waterloo Village, which is a short distance from where the crash occurred. Two other buses of fifth-graders were on the field trip as well, but they returned to East Brook Middle School sometime later, authorities said.

With reporting by Tom Davis and Katie Kausch, Patch staff

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• Hundreds Mourn Student,Teacher Killed In Paramus School Bus Crash
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