High School Team Avoids Serious Injuries in Crash

There were no serious injuries following an accident Tuesday night involving a school bus carrying the softball team and an overturned tractor trailer on the exit ramp to Route 1 from I-287, the district's superintendent said Thursday.

Superintendent of Schools Michael Schilder said the crash, which occurred Tuesday night at about 6 p.m., could have been worse if not for the quick thinking of the district bus driver.

“The district bus driver, anticipating a problem with the oncoming truck, sped up and went to the right to avoid the truck falling on the entire bus,” Schilder said. “The tractor trailer hit the driver’s side of the bus, from the rear tires to the back end.”

The team was traveling back to Bridgewater after a scrimmage that afternoon in Woodbridge. Schilder confirmed that all 27 bus passengers—23 students and four coaches—were all taken to nearby Robert Wood Johnson and St. Peter’s hospitals for observation and all were released.

“We are very thankful that none of our students or staff were seriously injured and extend well-wishes to the occupants of the truck for a speedy recovery,” Schilder said.

Not all involved in the accident escaped without injury, however. According to a MyCentralJersey.com article, both the driver and passenger of the tractor trailer—Johnnie Davis of Babylon, N.Y. and Charles Mapp, of Georgia—were listed in critical condition immediately following the accident. As of Wednesday night, Davis had since been treated and released.

Schilder said all district personnel involved in the accident, including students and staff, reacted well to a frightening situation.

“Commendations are extended to the bus driver, coaches, students and district personnel for handling this emergency situation calmly and appropriately,” Schilder said.