1 killed, 6 injured in school bus crash
A New Jersey motorist was killed when he struck a school bus, which drove off the road and overturned. Four students and the bus driver were injured, and the aide was hospitalized for serious injuries.
FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP, N.J. — State police are investigating a fatal crash that killed a motorist and injured four students, a school bus driver and a school bus aide here last week.
Based on the preliminary investigation, at 7:42 a.m., Larry Waller was traveling westbound on the highway when he crossed into the eastbound lane and struck a school bus, which was driven by Osheia Wallace, according to a police department news release. As a result of the collision, the bus ran off of the eastbound roadway and overturned. The road was wet from a previous rain, NJ.com reports.
Waller was pronounced dead at the scene. Wallace and the four special-needs students aboard the bus were injured, according to NJ.com, and the students were transported to the hospital with minor injuries, according to the police department. Bus aide Vera Cole, 82, was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. The day after the accident, Cole was still in the hospital but her condition improved, NJ.com reports.
The details and circumstances of the crash are still under investigation. There are no charges pending at this time.
More Safety

How To Build a More Secure School Bus Yard During and After Hours
As thefts and overnight security threats continue, school transportation leaders are combining stronger operational practices with AI-enabled surveillance to better protect buses, facilities, and staff.
Read More →
FMCSA Names New Chief Safety Officer: What School Bus Operators Should Know
Steve Dowling is set to lead the federal agency's efforts to advance commercial motor vehicle safety and reduce crashes, fatalities, and injuries on the nation's roadways.
Read More →
New Study Finds School Zone Speed Safety Cameras Cut Speeding Violations 97%
A Florida university's research demonstrates that Verra Mobility's automated enforcement changes driver behavior and significantly improves school zone safety.
Read More →
What Changed in DOT’s New National Roadway Safety Strategy?
The federal agency's new plan shifts its focus to safer people, roads and vehicles, with a new three-pronged approach instead of five. One outlined action even addresses a key industry concern around illegal school bus passing.
Read More →
Are Autonomous Vehicles Ready to Safely Navigate School Bus Stops?
NHTSA is accelerating autonomous vehicle deployment through new safety standards and commercial approvals. See why school transportation leaders are watching.
Read More →
NFL Star Lomas Brown Kicks Off New Illegal School Bus Passing PSA
Just in time for the back-to-school season, the former Detroit Lions offensive tackle took time to record a video encouraging motorists to slow down around school buses.
Read More →
How Two Texas Districts Built Award-Winning Safety Programs
Learn how Prosper ISD and Rockwall ISD earned National Safety Council honors through hands-on training, safety culture, and strategies that reduced transportation incidents.
Read More →
NHTSA Releases 10-Year Review of Fatal School Bus Crashes
The latest federal analysis reinforces the safety of school buses while identifying where school-age pedestrians and other motorists remain most at risk.
Read More →
2026 NASDPTS Survey: Data Shows Further Reduction of Illegal Passing
New data is in! School bus stop-arm passings are down to 38.4 million violations per year, about a 2.3% decrease from last school year — but passings on the right side of the bus are higher than ever.
Read More →
Another School Bus Fatality Reported in Monsey, New York
A 7-year-old girl died after being struck by a school bus in Rockland County, New York while crossing the street. Here's what we know.
Read More →
