NJT Bus On Fire Struck Pequannock Police Car

PEQUANNOCK, NJ— More details have emerged about Monday night's accidental New Jersey Transit bus fire in Pequannock.

The bus caught on fire just before 8 p.m. on Monday, as Patch previously reported. A flat tire sparked, igniting the bus.

According to a release sent out by the Pequannock Police Department, the bus continued traveling while on fire. No passengers were on board at the time.

Police signaled to the driver, Anselmo Ruiz, 54 from Paterson, that he needed to pull over just before the Alexander Ave intersection.

Although he was conscious behind the wheel, Ruiz was not responded to the responding officers questions or commands. As police were talking to Ruiz, the bus rolled forward and struck a police car.

Police pulled Ruiz from the car, and Ruiz informed them he was recently diagnosed as diabetic, and had not eaten all day. Ruiz was taken to Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains for medical treatment.

No summonses have been issued against Ruiz, but they did submit his information to the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission for a medical review of his commercial license.

Route 23 south was closed for two hours as a result of the fire. Only the rear of the bus, a 2002 Motor Coach Industries bus, was damaged. It was removed from the scene by NJ Transit.

Pequannock Twp. Police were assisted by Riverdale and Wayne Police Departments, Pequannock Twp. Fire Companies #1 and #2 and the Pequannock Twp. First Aid Squad.

Image via Alicia O'Keefe