Prosecutors note illegal u-turn and in "Perpendicular" position at time of crash on 80 West

UPDATE: Paramus School Bus Driver Charged with 2 Counts of Reckless Vehicular Homicide/Death by auto

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When a school bus on a field trip, carrying a packed bus filled with teachers and 5th grade students from Paramus, crashed on Route 80 last week, no one on the bus or their families knew their bus driver had a record of 8 speeding tickets and many driving suspensions on his record. The driver, Hudy Muldrow Sr., 77, had 14 license suspensions in total, according to the Motor Vehicle Commission. His truck made an illegal u-turn on busy Route 80, tragically killing a fifth grader and a teacher, plus injuring over 14 others.

Now, the driver has been charged with two counts of reckless vehicular homicide/death by auto. The Prosecutor's office wrote the bus was in "an almost perpendicular direction in relation to the lanes of ravel on Route 80 Westbound".

Though some of his violations including parking tickets, there were also 8 speeding violations and tickets given to the school bus driver. The driver was operating the bus with a legitimate bus license, however, questions remain: why would the driver be approved for a bus license when he'd had speeding violations plus a violation/ticket for changing lanes illegally?

A 10 year old student, Miranda Faith Vargas, and a school teacher, Jennifer Williamson, died in the crash and over a dozen others were injured. Allegedly, the driver made an illegal u-turn on Route 80. The DOT has videos of the u-turn, according to sources.

The law states any commercial driver would lose their license of they accumulate 12 or more points on their license.

With the safety of our children - and anyone on a school bus or other commercial vehicle - at stake, this reporter believes the law must be changed, now. At the very least, a commercial operators history of tickets and illegal lane changes, etc. should be posted where anyone can check - since lives are at stake.

Updates to follow.

Previous article:

. The bus, which was reported to be driven by a driver who allegedly was trying to make an illegal U turn on the highway, crashed violently into a dump truck crumpling and injuring 43 people and killing a teacher and 5th grade student from East Brook Middle School in Paramus.

Besides the two fatalities, there are a few critically injured.

Video show this school bus, one of three driving to a class trip, missing the exit for its destination, Waterloo Village. The DOT footage shows the bus trying make an illegal u-turn, and then crashing into the dump truck.

News of the tragedy spread quickly, and parents frantically arrived at the school to pick up their children.

A heartfelt message from the Paramus School System read:

We would like to thank the Paramus Community for their support during this very difficult time. Our hearts go out to the families of our students, staff and community members. We also thank the first responders who did a tremendous job. All Paramus Public Schools will remain open Friday, May 18th. Crisis counselors will be present in each building to assist the children and staff.

All evening school activities are cancelled for this evening and tomorrow evening. Before and aftercare will remain open tomorrow.

PARCC testing will be cancelled for Friday, May 18th and Monday, May 21st. We will reevaluate the testing schedules at that time.

Updates to follow.