Officials: Drunk NJ school bus driver had kids on board in crash

WOODLAND PARK — A school bus driver is charged with 42 counts of endangering the welfare of a child after a crash on Friday.

Juan Gonzalez, 51, of Paterson, was drunk behind the wheel of the bus with high school students on board when he crashed into a parked car, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office.

Prosecutors say that Gonzalez was taking the students to Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne. No student injuries were reported in the crash.

Around 8:45 a.m., police were called about a possible hit-and-run in Woodland Park. An investigation found that a parked car had been hit near the intersection of Squirrelwood Road and McBride Avenue.

According to prosecutors, each of the 42 second-degree charges of endangering the welfare of a child could carry between five to ten years in prison. Gonzalez is also charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident.

Gonzalez was conditionally released at a court hearing on Saturday. His next court date is set for Dec. 1.

Rick Rickman is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at richard.rickman@townsquaremedia.com

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

11 years later — Sandy makes landfall in New Jersey

How much does the average NJ home cost? Median prices by county

Everything is costing more these days — and housing is certainly no exception in New Jersey.

Data for 2023 from January through May, compiled by New Jersey Realtors, shows that homes hit the market and sell in two months or less, on average.

Median prices for single-family homes have reached $500,000 and above in nine counties.

Most counties have seen houses go for more than the list price this year, while the rest have been very close to asking — on average.

Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt

Say you’re from Jersey without saying you’re from Jersey

These are everyday expressions that only someone from New Jersey would get. What else should be on this list?

Gallery Credit: Jeff Deminski/Townsquare Media

Source: Drunk NJ school bus driver had kids on board in crash, prosecutors say

Filed Under: Passaic County, Wayne, Woodland Park

Categories: New Jersey News