Bus Driver Drove Drunk With 20 Students Aboard: Lakewood Police

LAKEWOOD, NJ -- The driver of a Jay's Bus Service school bus that had 20 students on board has been charged with driving while intoxicated following a road rage incident in Lakewood Wednesday morning, police said.

Angel Colon, 54, of Toms River, has been charged with DWI and endangering the welfare of children, said Detective Lt. Gregory Staffordsmith.

Staffordsmith said Lakewood Police Officer Daniel Brooks radioed headquarters about 8:30 a.m. to report he was out with two vehicles that were involved in a road rage incident in the area of Chestnut Street and Vermont Avenue. One of the vehicles was the school bus driven by Colon, Staffordsmith said.

Jay's Bus Service in Lakewood contracts with a number of area school districts for specific bus runs. Staffordsmith said it was not known which school district the students were from, or the age of the students.

Officers Ralph Hatt and Christopher DiBiase responded to assist Brooks and as Hatt was speaking with Colon, he smelled alcohol on the bus driver's breath, Staffordsmith said. Colon was also described as having slurred speech and bloodshot eyes, he said.

Colon was arrested and was at police headquarters awaiting transport to the Ocean County Jail, Toms River.

Details on the road rage incident and the second vehicle involved were not immediately available as the full report on the incident was still being completed.

This is a breaking news report and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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