School bus crashes into Edison home, no serious injuries

By Alvin Wu
Domestic Affairs
School bus crashes into Edison home, no serious injuries

Still images from an eyewitness's video show the crashed bus, emergency responders inspecting the damage to the house, and tow trucks on scene. ARJUN SHANKAR/Video

EDISON, N.J., Oct. 19 (ZFJ) — A school bus with 28 John Adams Middle School students on board crashed into an Edison home on Rahway Road in the morning on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

The bus, operated by contracted route provider Joy Transport, collided with the house’s garage, which sustained heavy damage. The house has been condemned by township inspectors for being structurally unsound.

The cause of the crash is believed to be a brake failure, said Edison Police Chief Thomas Bryan.

One student sustained an ankle injury, and another had a head and knee injury, all minor, authorities said. Two students were transported to JFK University Medical Center by their parents for evaluation and were later discharged, according to Edison Township Public Schools. The remaining 26 students were taken to school by a second bus and evaluated by the school’s nurse and counselors. The bus driver was not hurt.

Three housekeeping staff were in the house at the time of the collision but were not harmed. The residents were not home at the time.

An eyewitness’s view of police cars and fire engines on the scene of the school bus crash. ARJUN SHANKAR/Video An eyewitness’s view of police cars and fire engines on the scene of the school bus crash. ARJUN SHANKAR/Video

Police received a 911 call about the crash at about 08:06. Officers arrived to find all of the students off the bus, and many of their parents were already present.

When she realized the brakes were not functioning after failing to stop at the intersection with Ziga Lane, the bus driver drove into a field, went around a large ditch, struck a fence, turned to avoid the house, hit another fence, and finally collided with the neighbor’s house, said Patrolman Steven Nappe.

“It could have been horrible, but I think that she did a great job to stay calm in the moment and miss houses and all of the other objects she needed to keep those kids safe,” said Nappe, one of the responding officers.

The police chief commended the bus driver’s efforts to minimize injuries. He said that the bus driver’s name will be released in the future.

School district administrators met with township emergency officials after the accident. Sergeant Melissa Michalak of the Edison Police brought Tybee, a certified therapy dog, to JAMS to meet with students involved, and the school offered crisis counseling.

The state Department of Transportation and Motor Vehicle Commission are investigating the crash and will inspect the bus.

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