Paramus Bus Crash Victim Brendan O'Callaghan Is Home

PARAMUS, NJ — Brendan O'Callaghan is home.

The fifth-grader is one of the last East Brook Middle School students to return home following the horrific school bus crash May 17 that killed a teacher and student and wounded 43 others, including 38 students.

O'Callaghan had been recovering and undergoing therapy at the hospital since the crash. He was not making too much progress at Children's Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, said his father, Arnie O'Callaghan, but then he heard he would go home.

"His demeanor has improved a lot since yesterday since he found out he was going home," the elder O'Callaghan said. "He hasn't been home in 12 days. We felt that the best place for him to recover emotionally was at home."

Brendan has a lot of treatment and surgeries ahead, Arnie O'Callaghan said, "but we're going to get through it. There's been a 100 percent turnaround from yesterday to today."

Brendan will not return to East Brook Middle School this year, his father said.

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.

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

Four people remained hospitalized as of Friday afternoon; a hospital spokesperson did not immediately return Patch's question about possible weekend discharges.

Tens of thousands of dollars has been donated to the victims and their families since the crash.

New York sports teams have also done their part to boost Brendan O'Callaghan's spirits.

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.

The New York Giants' Landon Collins recorded a special get-well message for Brendan O'Callaghan. Quarterback Eli Manning recorded a special message for the East Brook Middle School Community.

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.

Hudy Muldrow Sr., 77, of Woodland Park, was driving the bus. He was charged Thursday with two counts of death by auto for recklessly causing Williamson-Kennedy's and Vargas' deaths, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp previously said.

Knapp said Muldrow missed the exit for Waterloo Village and attempted 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.

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.

Muldrow is in jail awaiting a hearing Wednesday before a Superior Court judge to determine if he should be held or released while charges are pending, Knapp said.

Paramus officials have said they were unaware of his driving record.

Related:

• WATCH: Eli Manning Makes Message For Paramus Crash Victims
• WATCH: Paramus Candlelight Vigil For Bus Crash Victims
• Driver Charged In Fatal NJ School Bus Crash: Prosecutor
• Seat Belts Didn't Fit Correctly Before Bus Crash: Student
• Memorial Created At East Brook Middle School Following Deaths
• Paramus Community Mourns Dedicated Teacher Killed In Crash
• Teacher, Student Confirmed Dead In Paramus Field Trip Bus Crash
  

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Image: Brendan O'Callaghan has something to eat while at the hospital receiving treatment following a bus crash that killed an East Brook Middle School teacher and student May 17.