Assault by Auto Charges for Driver in Rt. 130 Crash

South Brunswick, NJ - South Brunswick police announced Monday they charged the driver in last week’s 9-car pile-up on Rt. 130 with assault by auto.

Jamal L. Penten, the driver of the Suburban Transit-Coach USA commuter bus that plowed into 9 cars during the morning rush hour Thursday, was charged with assault by auto. Penten, 30, of Lakewood, turned himself in to South Brunswick police headquarters Monday afternoon.

At 6:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, Penten drove the empty commuter bus into 9 cars that were stopped or slowing for a red traffic signal on Rt. 130 at Friendship Road.

Driving 50 mph on Rt. 130, Penten did not look at the highway in front of him for at least 10 seconds, police charge. He was distracted for more than 1,000 feet prior to the intersection of Friendship Road, police said.

He failed to reduce his speed, brake, or take evasive action, police said. He hit the first vehicle at full highway speed, 50 mph, before hitting the brakes, police said.

The bus then traveled another 200 feet and struck a total of 9 vehicles as they slowed down for the red light.

Two people remain hospitalized four days after crash

Three people were seriously injured in the crash: One male driver suffered a fractured back, and a woman suffered a fractured pelvis and ribs, police said. As of Monday afternoon, those two most seriously injured drivers remain at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.

Another man suffered a head laceration, but has since been released from the hospital. Four other drivers were transported to area hospitals due to the crash.

Penten was also charged with reckless driving, following too closely, and obstruction of traffic. He posted $2,500 bail and was released pending his first court appearance.