NJ School Bus Driver Charged With DUI After East Orange Crashes

EAST ORANGE, NJ -- East Orange police arrested a school bus driver on Tuesday after he allegedly hit five cars, two traffic poles and a fire hydrant while driving under the influence. There was a 9-year-old child and an adult female bus aide aboard the vehicle at the time; neither suffered injury during the crashes, authorities said.

An East Orange city spokesperson said that Wayne Carmichael, 52, of Paterson, a driver with A1 Elegant Tours, was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child. He was also issued multiple motor vehicle summonses, including reckless driving, driving under the influence and driving while suspended.

The series of collisions took place between 8:10 and 8:30 a.m. The first accident occurred at Park and North Arlington Avenue, the second and third at William Street and North Oraton Parkway, the fourth at Springdale and Glenwood Avenues (that car was totaled), and the fifth at Dodd Street and Thomas Boulevard in the neighboring city of Orange.

A minor injury was reported during the crashes, city officials said.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is conducting a follow-up investigation. No additional information was immediately available.

File photo: Shutterstock (not the vehicle in the above article)

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