Husband Of Paramus Teacher Killed In Bus Crash Issues Statement

PARAMUS, NJ — The husband of the borough middle school teacher who died in a horrific bus crash Thursday is "totally crushed" over his wife's death.

Jennifer Williamson and a yet-to-be identified fifth-grade girl died when the bus they were in collied with a dump truck on Interstate 80 in Mount Olive.

Kevin Kennedy said in a statement that he and his wife were "in total love every day of our lives since the day our eyes first met" in 1994.

"I am in shock, devastated, and totally crushed by today's tragedy to both sides of the Williamson-Kennedy families, the community she taught and the thousands of students and their families she was very proud to serve," Kennedy told NJ.com.

Kennedy could not be reached for comment directly Friday. Someone who answered the phone at his house did not say anything when they answered and quickly hung up.

People left flowers and candles outside of East Brook Middle School Friday morning. One handwritten note stated "prayers for everyone."

Sources say Williamson was a 20-year teaching veteran. The RateMyTeacher website says she taught social studies, where a review was posted late Thursday by a student who said she was kind to everyone and would be missed. "She truly loved what she did," the student wrote.

Neither authorities, nor the school district have released the identity of the student killed in the crash.

Forty-three other people were injured, some critically, in the crash. Three bus loads of students, teachers, and chaperones were on their way to Waterloo Village in Byram when the crash occurred.

A GoFundMe campaign was launched Thursday to raise money for East Brook; $16,000 has been donated as of early Friday afternoon.

Related:

• GoFundMe Campaign Launched To Help East Brook Middle School
• 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
• Paramus Student Recounts Chaotic Bus Crash Scene
• Community Starts #ParamusStrong Hashtag In Wake Of Fatal Crash
• Paramus District Cancels Trips Following Fatal Crash
  

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Photo: Flowers at a make-shift memorial at East Brook Middle School in Paramus Friday morning. (By Daniel Hubbard, Patch staff)