Old Bridge Police: Cause of Route 9 Bus Accident Remains Under Investigation
An accident involving a commuter bus and a school bus injured 35 people Thursday morning.
Update 5:45 p.m.
Thirty-five people were reported injured after an Academy commuter bus and an Old Bridge school bus collided on Route 9 North in Old Bridge Township Thursday morning, according to Cpt. Art Carullo. The accident was reported to police at 8:18 a.m.
No children were on the medium-sized school bus at the time of the accident, he said.
The school bus was traveling in the right lane of the highway and turning right into the Stratford Apartments on Arcade Lane when the accident occurred. The Academy bus, identified as bus number 8592, was traveling in the designated bus lane.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation and no fault has been determined, Carullo said.
When the two buses struck, the school bus rolled and came to rest on top of a generator, power switch station and sewage station, he explained. The Academy bus continued off of the roadway, took out several street signs, grazed a utility pole coming to a stop when it struck a large tree.
Only two people were on the school bus, the driver and an aid. Both women were able to climb out of the safety hatch on the roof of the bus, Carullo said.
The driver of the Academy bus had to be extricated from the vehicle and was medevaced to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in serious condition. A second accident victim, also in serious condition, was transported by ambulance to the hospital, Carullo said.
Although both were injured seriously, Carullo said, neither are believed to be life threatening.
Carullo said he is unable to release the identity of victims at this time. NJ.com is reporting that the driver of the Academy bus is Daniel Jean-Pierre, 42, of Barnegat. He was listed in critical condition along with a 31-year-old female passenger.
About six or seven other people reported moderate injuries, such as broken bones and lacerations, Carullo said. The remainder of the reported injuries were minor.
The commuter bus previously stopped in Lakewood, he explained. Academy spokesperson Joe Orlando told News 12 that the bus originated in Toms River and likely also stopped in Howell and Freehold.
The accident closed Route 9 in both directions for about two hours. At about 10:30 a.m., the left lane of Route 9 North and all lanes of Route 9 South were reopened.
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Update 4:40 p.m.: The driver of the Academy bus involved in the accident is Daniel Jean-Pierre, 42, of Barnegat, NJ.com is reporting. He was listed in critical condition along with a 31-year-old female passenger.
Update 10:49 a.m.: The left lane of Route 9 North and all lanes of Route 9 South have reopened.
Update: 10:40 a.m.: Academy spokesperson Joe Orlando told News 12 that the bus originated in Toms River and likely made stops in Lakewood, Howell and Freehold.
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About 36 people are believed to be injured after an accident involving an Academy commuter bus on Route 9 North in Old Bridge Township on Thursday morning, according to Marlboro Police Cpt. Steve Menonna.
The stretch of highway, which is traveled heavily by commuters, is closed in both directions as emergency personnel from all surrounding municipalities respond to the scene, Menonna explained. New Jersey State Police are also on the scene.
The accident occurred this morning in the vicinity of ShopRite of Old Bridge. There is a NJ TRANSIT Park & Ride bus station in front of ShopRite however NJ TRANSIT officials say none of their vehicles were involved in the crash.
It is unclear at this time exactly how severe the injuries are, how many vehicles were involved and when Route 9 North will reopen.
CBS New York reports that aerial footage shows a commuter Academy bus crashed into a school bus, but no children are believed to have been on board the school bus at the time of the accident.
The Academy bus driver was still trapped in the vehicle at of 9:30 a.m., News 12 reported on its broadcast. NJ101.5 reported on their broadcast that as of 9:40 a.m., the driver has been removed from the vehicle and will be airlifted to the hospital.
Raritan Bay Medical Center spokesperson Eric Munch told News 12 that they had received six patients who were in stable condition. The hospital expected to receive more patients, Munch said during the broadcast.
As a result of the accident a number of NJ TRANSIT buses traveling to and from Newark and New York are subject to a 20 to 30 minute delay, including bus numbers 67 and 68, according to the agency's website. There is currently no service between Route 18 and Ernston Road.
Patch will continue to update this article as more information becomes available.
NJarhead
10:07 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
First, I hope the driver is okay and makes a full recovery. Second, NJ Transit and Academy bus drivers top my list of the worst, most wreckless/careless driver on the road in NJ.
bd
10:07 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
We need Plugs and Milhous to come and hold hearings on assault vehicles like buses and ferries---we might "save one life" by banning them.
Jerseybrat
10:07 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
Prayers for all those on board. Not a good week for NY Commuters. With the way the buses drive through Howell & Freehold I am surprised we haven't seen a few. The worse thing that was ever passed was the Yield to the Bus law - they think they can just cut you off. Love watching them drive on the shoulder especially from
195 to Aldrich Road (Southbound side). I also love the way both NJ Transit and Academy have removed the 800 #'s to report them from the buses.
Gregory Nazarian
10:07 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
Two assumed "professional" drivers? A catalyst 3rd party? A clash of egos? Perhaps a mechanical failure? Regardless, it should not have happened.
John J. Harris
10:07 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
Seems like public transportation is getting pretty dangerous these days.
Aberdeen Homeowner
10:07 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
I am not surprised it's very often that I have nearly been run off the road right in that very area by academy buses. Usually heading South. They are always in such a hurry and need to slow down !
John Tyler
10:04 pm on Friday, January 11, 2013
At one time I heard that the drivers get paid by the trip, I don't know if that is so but that could explain why they are driving the way they do. Get one trip done so you can do another one??
LGA
10:07 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
Someone should monitor the Academy and NJT buses. I was passed on the GSP by an Academy Bus traveling 80-85 mph near exit 129 south on Tuesday around 8pm. I was going 70 in the middle lane and he just blew by me. There's no reason that a bus should be going that fast. Didn't the State Troopers have a crack down on speeding buses heading to AC a few years back?
Chrissy
10:41 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
Would not be surprised if it was the academy bus's fault. They drive like they own the road and are the only ones driving on it. They have a yield sign on the back of the busses and expect everyone to move out of the way for them. They definitely don't even look when they pull out from a bus stop.
John Tyler
10:01 pm on Friday, January 11, 2013
Why should they, the law states that we have to watch out for them
Shoregal
11:10 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
I ride Academy every day into the city. And I have to admit that on more that one occasion I thought we were going to be killed by a reckless bus driver. Most of the drivers I ride with are cautious, but there are more than a few who are reckless and just bully the cars on the road with them. Many bus drivers speed, but that said I also can't believe how close cars will cut in front of a bus giving neither driver no margin for error. There is recklessness on both sides and It's a miracle that there aren't more accidents.
The Griffin Family
11:23 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
worst law ever passed that we all have to yield to a bus. no one should be permitted to just drive like theyre the only ones on the road ESPECIALLY bus drivers. we've ALL been at the mercy of a bus virtually plowing us right off the road or into others. so we give them a law that lets them drive w/o looking. why is the law on their side???
John Tyler
9:58 pm on Friday, January 11, 2013
Very good Griffin Family you beat me to the same question.
William Y
1:05 pm on Friday, January 11, 2013
I agree with all of the above sentiment. Hope everyone is ok. Academy must condone aggressive driving because a day doesn't go by that I dont have to avoid an Academy bus to/from work that is being driven with no regard for other vehicles. Used to take Academy too and it's scary how aggressive they drive. They'll cut in front of 100s of vehicles waiting patiently to exit the turnpike or other exit. If you see one of their busses with a blinker on, best give them a wide berth cause they're coming over no matter what.