Paramus Bus Crash Victim's Dad: 'We're Still In Denial'

PARAMUS, NJ — She loved unicorns. She enjoyed cartoons. She was always looking out for others.

Thursday would have been Miranda Vargas' 11th birthday.

Vargas was killed when the school bus she was in collided with a dump truck on Interstate 80 May 17. She and 37 other fifth-graders from East Brook Middle School were on the bus.

Vargas' father, Joevanny spoke about his daughter Friday at the announcement of a law named in her memory designed to better protect children on school buses.

"My daughter was sweet, she was gentle. Anyone who knew her, she had a big heart. She loved kids, she always looked out for them," Joevanny Vargas said. "Numerous times she received the Pat on the Back Award, that award is given to kids who help others. That's who she was. She was an exceptional child."

Miranda was a gymnast. Her inspiration was Olympic, gold-medal-winning gymnast Laurie Hernandez.

"She truly loved it. She was dedicated," Joevanny Vargas said. "She loved demonstrating her skills."

A few weeks ago, she asked her mother if there were unicorns in heaven, memory that brought tears to Joevanny Vargas' eyes.

"Everyone told me God needed an angel and yes, she had all the qualities of one and our selfish side can't accept it. We are still in denial. This is impossible to accept," he said. "I miss her lying on me and telling me I felt like a big teddy bear."

Vargas gave his remarks Friday at the announcement of Miranda Vargas School Bus Driver Red Flag Act, or "Miranda's Law," legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) that would require school districts and school bus companies to be automatically notified of when one of their school bus drivers received a traffic violation.

"Why has it taken so long to figure this out?" Joevanny asked. "Why did my daughter have to lose her life for something to change?"

If the legislation is approved, employers would automatically be notified in real-time when a bus driver's license status changes because of a moving violation, crash, or license suspension.

Hudy Muldrow Sr., the man driving the school bus Vargas and more than 40 other people were on, had his driver's license suspended 14, including once this year. The bus was heading to Waterloo Village in Byram when Muldrow missed an exit, authorities previously said.

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. He has been charged with two counts of death by auto, also known as vehicular homicide. Through a lawyer, Muldrow has maintained his innocence.

"How did the [Paramus] Board of Education and state fail to realize that you had a 77-year-old man with so many infractions transporting kids?" Joevanny asked. "Parents shouldn't have to worry about who is driving their child's school bus."

Paramus School District officials said they were unaware of Muldrow's driving record.

Teacher Jennifer Williamson, 51, also died in the crash. All of the remaining 43 people on the bus were injured, some critically, in the crash.

"Making America great again should include protecting our kids," Miranda's father said.

Related:

• Paramus Officials Unaware Of Bus Driver's Record: Superintendent
• Miranda's Law Would Create Bus Driver Safety Notification System
• Paramus Community Mourns Dedicated Teacher Killed In Crash
• Teacher, Student Confirmed Dead In Paramus Field Trip Bus Crash
• Driver Charged In Fatal NJ School Bus Crash: Prosecutor

With reporting by Katie Kausch, Patch staff

Email daniel.hubbard@patch.com.

Photo: Miranda Faith Vargas, 10 (Courtesy of GoFundMe, a promotional partner of Patch)